Yamhill County jobless rate dips again

Yamhill County’s unemployment rate dipped to 9% in July, down from a revised rate of 10% in June as most private-sector industries added jobs, according to the Oregon Employment Department.

Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate in July was 10.4%, down from a revised June rate of 11.6%.

Yamhill County’s employment losses in July were slightly larger than normal: total nonfarm employment fell by 620 jobs, when an employment loss of 590 jobs would be expected, the department said.

As a result, seasonally adjusted employment decreased 30 jobs, or 0.1%, between June and July. Employment remains 3,480 jobs below the level in February, after sharp job losses in March and April due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Two private-sector industries -- trade, transportation and utilities (-70 jobs, -1.5%) and private educational services (-280 jobs, -4.1%) showed the largest employment declines in July.

On the job creation side, construction added 60 jobs for a 3.2% increase over the month, while professional and business services employment grew 90 in July, a monthly gain of 4.6%.

Yamhill County’s public sector shed 420 jobs in July, all within local government. Local government education dropped 460 jobs in July, while local government excluding those services gained 30 jobs during the month.