Job Growth in Central Oregon and the State of Oregon
The regional offices of Oregon Employment Department (OED) periodically update job and industry sector growth projections, looking ahead 10 years. Job growth in Central Oregon was last projected in December 2007. Of all areas in the state, OED expects the most rapid growth in Central Oregon as our region's recreational amenities continue to attract both young professionals and retirees. OED forecasts both private and public sectors will grow at about the same rate, 25% and 24%, respectively. On a comparative basis, the state of Oregon's private sector is forecast to grow 15% and the public (government) sector is expected to increase 10%. All told, the Central Oregon region is expected to add nearly 21,000 jobs between 2006 and 2016.
Forecast Job Growth in Central Oregon
In the private sector, professional and business services is expected to increase significantly (32%), as is educational and health servies (33%), and leisure and hospitality (36%). Conversely, manufacturing is expected to experience slow growth (4%), in part based on productivity improvements, and natural resources and mining will also grow at a slower rate (14%) than the regional economy. In the public sector, job growth will be primarily from local government positions (2,100 jobs or a 24% increase) and state government (670 jobs or a 44% increase).
By and large, Central Oregon trends mirror state job growth trends by industry sector, but in an amplified fashion. At the state level, manufacturing and natural resources and mining are both expected to see minimal growth at 1% over the 10 year period. Similarly, educational and health services are forecast to increase 28%, professional and business services 21% and leisure and hospitality 19%.
Industry Employment Forecast 2006 - 2016
Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties |
2006 |
2016 |
Change |
% Change |
| Total nonfarm employment |
82,780 |
103,670 |
20,890 |
25% |
| Total private |
71,060 |
89,150 |
18,090 |
25% |
| Natural resources and mining |
420 |
480 |
60 |
14% |
| Construction |
8,560 |
10,880 |
2,320 |
27% |
| Manufacturing |
9,080 |
9,440 |
360 |
4% |
| Durable goods |
8,110 |
8,260 |
150 |
2% |
| Wood product manufacturing |
4,110 |
4,000 |
-110 |
-3% |
| Nondurable goods |
970 |
1,180 |
210 |
22% |
| Trade, transportation, and utilities |
15,970 |
19,810 |
3,840 |
24% |
| Wholesale trade |
2,760 |
3,090 |
330 |
12% |
| Retail trade |
11,390 |
14,450 |
3,060 |
27% |
| Food and beverage stores |
2,290 |
2,860 |
570 |
25% |
| General merchandise stores |
2,100 |
2,710 |
610 |
29% |
| Transportation, warehousing, and utilities |
1,820 |
2,270 |
450 |
25% |
| Information |
1,720 |
2,100 |
380 |
22% |
| Financial activities |
5,490 |
6,820 |
1,330 |
24% |
| Professional and business services |
7,840 |
10,310 |
2,470 |
32% |
| Educational and health services |
8,920 |
11,870 |
2,950 |
33% |
| Health care and social assistance |
8,130 |
10,860 |
2,730 |
34% |
| Health care |
6,940 |
9,360 |
2,420 |
35% |
| Leisure and hospitality |
10,510 |
14,320 |
3,810 |
36% |
| Accommodation and food services |
8,700 |
11,830 |
3,130 |
36% |
| Other services |
2,570 |
3,130 |
560 |
22% |
| Government |
11,720 |
14,530 |
2,810 |
24% |
| Federal government |
1,320 |
1,340 |
20 |
2% |
| State government |
1,510 |
2,180 |
670 |
44% |
| Local government |
8,900 |
11,000 |
2,100 |
24% |
Source: Oregon Employment Department
Also in the Employment section, you may be interested in Central Oregon Top 50 Employers, employment by sector, income and wages, and unemployment statistics.
In the Publications section, EDCO Profiles and Data - Demographic, Consumer Expenditure, and Business/Workforce from Oregon Prospector may be helpful.