July 2026 Central Oregon Economic Indicators

by Clare McGrady, Workforce Analyst/Economist, Oregon Employment Department

June in View:

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the United States was 4.2% in June 2026. In Oregon, the unemployment rate remained at 5.2% which marks the sixth consecutive month at this rate.

In Deschutes County, the over-the-year seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.9%. Deschutes County is the only county in Central Oregon with an unemployment rate lower than Oregon’s rate. In Crook County, the unemployment rate was 5.7% in June 2025 and 6.0% in June 2026, but there was no over-the-month change. In Jefferson County, the unemployment rate was 5.7% in June 2025 and 5.6% in June 2026.

Articles of Interest

“Uneven Growth and Steady Unemployment in Bend: A Closer Look at Local Labor Trends” by Nicole Ramos

“Manufacturing – A Tale of Two Trends” by Nicole Ramos

“Succession Plans: Low Growth Industries with Lots of Job Openings” by Sofia Al-Bawani