Regional Employment Picture Shows Slight Improvement

Across the region, the Oregon Employment Department is reporting lower unemployment rates across southern Oregon for December. Their report indicates that seasonal hiring accounted for most monthly employment gains. In Jackson County, retail gained 540 jobs. Health care and assistance and manufacturing also posted gains. Even with the improvement, unemployment rates in southern Oregon range from one to three points higher than the statewide rate of 8.4 percent. Jackson County’s seasonally adjusted rate was 10.3 percent,it was 11.6 for Josephine County, 10.2 for Coos County and 11.1 for Curry County.