EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon’s unemployment rate in November was the lowest its been in at least 43 years, according to the state employment department.
A November unemployment rate of 3.9 percent is the lowest recorded since 1976, dipping from 4 percent in October. The statewide rate has hovered near 4 percent for 37 months, according to state data.
Total nonfarm employment increased in November by 6,300 jobs. In October, the state gained 2,100 jobs, according to state data.
Oregon has gained 2,600 jobs on average each month this year, state data said. Last year, the average was 3,000 new jobs per month.
The state employment department said industries that normally shed jobs during the autumn months, such as construction and manufacturing, instead added jobs in November. The state employment department said dry weather and a tight labor market may have caused those industries to retain jobs they normally would have cut.
Over-the-year job growth in Oregon was 1.6 percent, slightly higher than the 1.5 percent growth experienced at the national level, according to the state employment department. Most job sectors in Oregon expanded, but retail trade shed 1,800 jobs over the year, according to state data.
