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County jobless rate reaches 30-year low Jackson County's annual unemployment rate hit its lowest point in 30 years in 1999, according to the Oregon Employment Department. For the year, the county's unemployment rate was 6.4 percent, according to preliminary calculations released Thursday. The figure could be revised as more complete data comes in. If the 6.4 percent figure holds, it would be the county's best unemployment mark since 1969, when it hit 6.3 percent. It also hit 6.4 in 1987, 1973 and 1972. Despite the low figure, the county still had a higher level of unemployment than Oregon as a whole and the nation. Oregon's annual rate was 5.5 percent, while the national figure was 4.2 percent. Over the course of last year, nonfarm employment grew a healthy 2.9 percent or 1,900 jobs, based on a comparison of December figures for 1999 and 1998. The monthly unemployment rate estimates were also released Thursday. Jackson County's December rate remained at 4.7 percent for the second straight month. In December 1998, the rate was 5.6 percent. Because Jackson County's economy is highly seasonal, the unemployment rate is expected to rise in January as retailers scale back their work forces. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA