Oregon unemployment rate sets new low record

(SEPTEMBER 21, 2018) The government wants to know how many people do not have jobs. This number is called the unemployment rate. "Unemployed" means without a job. In Oregon, the unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in August. That is a new record. It is the lowest unemployment rate in the state since at least 1976. It is also lower than the U.S. unemployment rate of 3.9%.

In August, the number of unemployed people dropped to 80,500, which is down from 88,000 in August 2017. The low number of unemployed people reflects a very strong job market. Many people looking for work are getting jobs quickly.

Josh Lehner studies the data for the state. He told KVAL television station in Eugene that the state economy is doing better in many ways.

"This does not mean the economy is perfect," Lehner says. "We know there remain substantial problems and challenges. It does mean, however, that considerable progress has been made during the current economic expansion following the financial crisis."

Janet Bauer studies the data, too. She works at the Oregon Center for Public Policy. She says that the economy is different for Oregon's communities of color. For example, she says, "only non-Hispanic Whites saw a significant increase in median income over the prior year."