Benton County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.2% in July, down slightly from its revised rate of 3.3% in June. Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate in July was 4.1%, unchanged from its revised June rate of 4.1%.
Benton County’s employment losses in July were slightly less than normal; total nonfarm employment decreased by 3,420 jobs, when an employment decrease of 3,460 jobs would be expected. As a result, seasonally adjusted employment increased 40 jobs between June and July.
Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment is now up 4.0% from the level in February 2020, 1,730 jobs above its pre-pandemic level. Over the past year Benton County’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment is up 720 jobs or 1.6%.
The private sector overall added 80 jobs over the month. Health care and social assistance added 70 jobs. Professional and business services employment increased by 60 in July. The public sector overall shed 3,500 jobs in July. Local government education employment decreased 3,550. State government added 20 jobs and federal government was unchanged.
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