Klamath County unemployment rate drops to a record 5.8 percent, the lowest since 1990

Klamath Falls, Oregon (March 28, 2017) – The most recent unemployment rates for Klamath County – just released from the Oregon Employment Department – is cause for celebration county-wide. From January’s rate of 6.1 percent, the February unemployment dropped significantly to 5.8 percent. Klamath County has never posted a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate below 6 percent since comparable records began in 1990.

The year-over-year comparison of February 2016 to February of this year is 7.4 percent versus the current 5.8 percent. The state Employment Department asserts that the declining rate is driven by a surge in employment of local residents primarily concentrated in health care, retail positions and local education (which now includes the Oregon Institute of Technology.)

Greg O’Sullivan, director of the Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA), hailed the new unemployment rate, saying, “I am thrilled with the newest unemployment numbers for Klamath County, as posted by the state’s Employment Department. This clearly validates the work that KCEDA has done in helping to make Klamath County the place in south central Oregon where people want to both live and work.”

O’Sullivan continued saying, “But we don’t do it alone. Dozens of business owners have invested in this county and the trickle- down effect brings jobs to our residents who in turn have the resources to purchase homes and other discretionary items that further fuel our local economy. These numbers are clearly worth celebrating.”

Specifically, Klamath County added 170 jobs in February. Overall, since February 2016, Klamath County has added 540 new jobs (+2.5 percent). Job losses in the past 12 months tend to be concentrated in leisure and hospitality.

Also of note, neighboring Lake County is also seeing a drop in unemployment. Their seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in February, down from 6.3 percent in January. As with Klamath County, this is the first time in comparable records began in 1990 that Lake County’s unemployment rate is below 6 percent.

About the Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA)

Since 1975, KCEDA has reflected the best of private enterprise, responsibility and dedication. Its mission is to provide tailored recruitment and retention/expansion programs, new opportunities for jobs, and a diversified, value-added industrial base/expanded economic development climate in southern Oregon. Learn more at www.ChooseKlamath.com.