Douglas County Economic Indicators - December 2024
Below are the December 2024 edition of the Douglas County Economic Indicators. Thanks for another year of curiosity and engagement on the key economic questions in our area. I look forward to working with you all in the New Year.
From November of last year, Douglas County added 180 jobs. Growth has been less concentrated in private education and health services (which was unchanged over the year) than it has been in the state. In our area, government and manufacturing added jobs, while retail and leisure lost jobs. Seasonally adjusted unemployment was 5.0%, which hasn’t changed much from last year.
This month’s special holiday surprise is an updated round of our 10-year job projections. For both industries and occupations, there’s a host of data to explore for understanding the long term trajectory of our economy, available at the state and workforce area level.
Southwestern Oregon’s job growth over the next 10 years is projected to be slower than the state, but broad-based and steady. The area, which includes Douglas, Coos, and Curry counties, is projected to have the fastest growth in private education and health services, construction, and leisure. Two small sectors, natural resources and information, are predicted to employ fewer workers in 10 years. However, even in those industries that are projected to employ fewer workers in 2033 will have a substantial number of openings due to replacement needs.
This month’s articles included:
10-Year Occupational Projections Show Broad-Based Job Opportunities Statewide on Quality Info
Oregon Hourly Earnings Surpass Inflation on Quality Info
Oregon’s Forest Sector Employment Totaled 62,300 in 2023 on Quality Info
As always, the Indicators contain all the latest economic data on our area. If you have a data question or want to learn more about any of these topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Henry L. Fields
Workforce Analyst/Economist
Serving Lane and Douglas counties
Oregon Employment Department
(541) 359-9178
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