For the last two months of 2024, the unemployment rate in Deschutes County remained unchanged at 4%, according to the monthly Oregon jobs report.

In all three Central Oregon counties, non-farm employment increased year over year, according to the Oregon Employment Department monthly report.

In December 2023, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Deschutes County was just slightly lower at 3.8%, according to the monthly report. The record low unemployment rate was 3.3% set in February 2020.

Deschutes County lost 250 jobs from November to December and total non-farm employment is at 98,600 jobs in the county, according to the report. Job losses occurred mainly in the leisure and hospitality sector and government. Year-over-year job gains occurred in the private education and health services sectors in the county.

In Jefferson County, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also was unchanged in December at 4.6%. In 2023, the unemployment rate in the county was 4.7% for the same period, according to the report. The lowest unemployment rate for the county was 4.3% set in February 2020.

Non-farm employment lost 20 jobs in December, with most of the losses occurring in the professional and business services sector. At the same time job gains year-over-year occurred in manufacturing and financial activities.

In Crook County, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased, but marginally, in December over November. The new unemployment rate is 5.4%, according to the report. In December 2023, the unemployment rate was 5.9% in the county, according to the report. The record low, also set in February 2020, was 4.5%, according to the report.

Job losses in December were consistent with seasonal changes, according to the report. About 120 jobs were lost, mostly in the public sector, leisure and hospitality, according to the report. However, the county did see job gain year-over-year in the trade, transportation and utilities sector and the information sector.