In two of the three Central Oregon counties, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged last month, according to the Oregon Employment Department monthly report.

Across the state, the unemployment rate either decreased or remained unchanged in 16 of the state’s 36 counties in October, according to the monthly jobs report. As a region, the three Central Oregon counties experienced the fastest job growth in the state in October compared to the same time the year before, according to the report. In the Willamette Valley the growth rate was 1.2%, compared to Central Oregon’s 2.5%.

In Deschutes County, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged in October at 4%, about the same as it was the month before. The lowest unemployment rate was 3.3% just before the onset of the pandemic, according to the monthly report.

The county gained about 170 jobs in October. Total nonfarm employment was 98,940 in October, according to the report. Year-over-year job growth was concentrated in private education and health services, according to the report.

In Crook County, however, the unemployment rate was 5.6%, among the highest in the state. Grant County had the highest seasonally adjusted rate in October, according to the report. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Crook County decreased marginally over the month of October, down from 5.7% in September.

In October 2023, the unemployment rate was 5.9% in Crook County, according to the report.

The county lost 70 jobs in October with most losses occurring in construction, leisure and hospitality in Crook County, according to the report.

In Jefferson County the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged in October, holding firm at 4.7%, according to the monthly report. A year ago, the rate was 4.7%. Before the pandemic in 2020, the unemployment rate was 4.3%, according to the monthly report.

The county lost 40 jobs in October, according to the report, with the majority of losses occurring in the leisure and hospitality sector, according to the report.