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Unemployment growth small in Jackson County Jackson County�s unemployment grew less than 1 percent in February compared to January, but the number came in healthier than the same time last year. Out of 90,100 people counted in Jackson County�s civilian, nonfarm labor force, 6,160 � 6.8 percent � were reported as unemployed in February, according to preliminary figures released by the Oregon Employment Department office in Medford. The rate was 6 percent in January. Unemployment stood at 7.5 percent in the Rogue Valley in February 2000. OED analysts said the area lost 80 jobs between January and February, but has added 2,070 jobs overall since February 2000, a 3 percent gain. The manufacturing sector lost a net of 170 jobs from January�s numbers, mostly because of a weak outlook in the wood products industry. Gains in other manufacturing sectors partly offset that loss. Nonmanufacturing employment rose slightly in February compared to January, with a net gain of 90 jobs. Retail trade jobs fell by 600, mostly in department stores and non-store retailing. Construction lost 70 jobs, followed by transportation and utilities, which lost 40. The losses were offset by 350 new jobs in business, health and social services, and 460 jobs in local and state education. The worst unemployment in Oregon was in the eastern section of the state, with Wallowa and Harney counties at 19 and 18.8 percent unemployment, respectively. Eastern Oregon has suffered heavily under a decline in the timber industry and poor growing conditions for farmers. The lowest unemployment rate statewide was in Corvallis and Benton County, which reported 2.9 percent unemployment countywide. The Portland area reported 4.3 percent unemployment in February, according to the OED. Other jobless rates, with February�s rate listed first, followed by January and February 2000: Josephine County � 8.4 percent, 7.7 percent, 9.3 percent; Oregon (seasonally adjusted) � 4.9 percent, 4.4 percent, 5.2 percent; United States (seasonally adjusted) � 4.2 percent, 4.2 percent, 4.1 percent. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.