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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ashland stalker gets time served and probation after guilty plea for sex abuse, assault ... Carjacking suspect arrested after scuffle with SWAT team ... Mexico braces for strongest hurricane in Western hemisphere ... Ashland stalker gets time served and probation after guilty plea for sex abuse, assault ... Carjacking suspect arrested after scuffle with SWAT team ... Mexico braces for strongest hurricane in Western hemisphere ... EMPLOYMENT Jackson County labor force expands again Number of people working hit 99,236 in September Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 5:16 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 5:16 PM » Social News Jackson County's labor force is nearing a level it hasn't seen in nearly four years. The latest employment figures compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show the county's labor force grew to 99,236 people in September as the number of people with jobs and seeking jobs continued to grow. The last time the labor force crested 100,000 was November 2011 at 100,825. In September of 2011, there were 101,213 in the work force. "We're seeing labor-force growth we haven't seen in our neighbor counties," said Guy Tauer, a regional economist with the Oregon Employment Department. "The population growth here has been stronger, and with the general improvement in the job market some of the people who have been on the sidelines are coming back in." Jackson County's seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 7.4 percent in September, up marginally from the 7.3 percent mark in August, but solidly better than the 8.6 percent September 2014 level. Total payroll employment rose by 2,460 jobs during the month. Most of the increase was due to the resumption of school, adding an estimated 1,890 jobs. Retail trade employment added 780 jobs over the month. Health care and social assistance continued on an upward trend, adding 150 positions in September. The lone private-sector industry to see a decline was leisure and hospitality, which retreated from its seasonal peak and lost 170 jobs in September. On a year-over-year basis, private-sector payrolls grew by 2,660 positions, a 3.9 percent gain. Retail trade had the largest net job gain over the year, adding 760 new jobs. Professional and business services grew by 9 percent, adding 620 jobs. Construction employment rose by 90 jobs over the year. Tauer said recent studies have shown many who lost construction jobs during the Great Recession have left the industry and are working in other industries. The cyclical nature of this industry creates recruiting challenges when demand for labor increases. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/EconomicEdge . By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 5:16 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501