May 2026 Central Oregon Economic Indicators

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

April in View:

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the United States was 4.3% in April 2026. In Oregon, the unemployment rate remained at 5.2% which marks the fourth consecutive month at this rate.

In Deschutes County, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 4.3% in April 2025 to 4.8% in April 2026. Deschutes County is the only county in Central Oregon with an unemployment rate lower than Oregon’s rate. Similar increases were seen in Crook and Jefferson counties where the unemployment rate was 5.1% and 4.6% in April 2025 and 5.9% and 5.6% in April 2026, respectively.

Articles of Interest

“The Age of Oregon’s Private Business Establishments” by Andrew Grimoldby ,Oregon Employment Department

“Job Opening Trends in Help Wanted Online Ads” by Luke Coury and Molly Hendrickson, Oregon Employment Department