Despite lost jobs due to low snow, HRC has lowest unemployment

The region’s unadjusted unemployment rate, at 6 percent, remained below Oregon’s 6.3 percent, while on a seasonally adjusted basis, Hood River County’s 5.4 percent ranked as the state’s lowest (tied with Benton County), 1.3 points below Oregon’s 6.7 percent.

Hood River County’s unemployment rate ranked as Oregon’s lowest in December (tied with Benton County), its seventh consecutive month leading the state. Over the year Hood River County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by 0.3 points from 5.7 percent.

The winter recreational season needs more snow and because of the lack of an adequate supply of the white stuff, arts, entertainment and recreation cut 220 jobs to total 500. Last year, the industry had 360 more jobs in December, but there’s still hope that February will turn things around, OED said.

Retail trade rose by 70 jobs in December to total 1,520 — an increase of 30 over last year’s total. Wholesale trade lost 50 jobs in December, accommodation and food services cut 30 jobs, falling to 1,380, and mining, logging and construction shed 30 jobs, dropping to 330.

Wasco County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 6.3 percent in December, which was low enough to rank ninth in Oregon (tied with Polk County). Wasco County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by 0.6 percent over the year.

Wasco County’s nonfarm employment fell by 120 jobs in December to total 9,570. A loss of 30 jobs in leisure and hospitality cut its total to 1,010, construction shed 20, and professional and business services dropped by 20. December job gains were led by transportation, warehousing and utilities (+30) and educational and health services (+10).

Private industry rose by 30 jobs over the year, while government cut 30. Educational and health services led Wasco County with an over-the-year gain of 60 jobs increasing its total to 2,170. Retail trade took the biggest bite, cutting 60 jobs over the year, and financial activities lost 30. Government landed in the minus column, cutting 30 jobs, with a drop of 20 in local education and a loss of 10 in federal government.