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Economy in Central Oregon
By Andrew Grimoldby | Workforce Analyst/Economist, East Cascades Oregon Employment Department
February in View:
The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate marginally increased from 4.0% in January to 4.1% in February, and at the statewide level, the unemployment rate increased by 0.1% from 4.4% to 4.5%.
In Deschutes County, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 4.0% in February 2024 to 4.1% in February 2025. Crook County and Jefferson County decreased from 6.3% to 5.4% and 4.8% to 4.6%, respectively.
Topic of the Month: Age of the Workforce in Central Oregon
Using data from the United States Census Bureau’s Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI), we can gain an insight into the age of the workforce.
In 2000, 18.4% of workers were younger than 25, 70% were between the ages of 25 and 54, and 11.6% were older than 55.
Since 2000 there has been a gradual shift to an older workforce. The share of workers 55 and older has doubled, growing to 23.2% (+11.6%) in 2024. As a result, the share of those between the ages of 25 and 54 years old has shrunk to 63.8% (-6.2%), and the share of those younger than 25 has shrunk to 13.1% (-5.3%).
While there has been a shift in the age of workers in Central Oregon, and the state, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. In 2000, the second biggest generation in the United States, the baby boomers, were between the ages of 36 and 54 years old. In other words, they were all a part of the group that made up 70% of employment. In 2024, baby boomers were between the ages of 60 and 78 years old, meaning they all shifted into the 55 years and older group. While more baby boomers are retiring every year, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that in the second quarter of 2024, baby boomers made up 15% of the workforce in the United States.
Articles of Interest
Most Industries Had Real Wage Gains in Second Quarter 2024 by Bingjie Kong
Oregon’s Job Growth Fastest in Private Education and Health Services and Government by Molly Hendrickson
Industrial Engineers – Improving Process for More Efficiency by Madeline Judokusumo
Truck Drivers – In Demand Across the State by Brannigan Vogt
Oregon Economic Update: Regaining Momentum? by Amy Vander Vliet
A Closer Look at Oregon’s Median Household Income by Brannigan Vogt
