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December Oregon Unemployment Rate Ticks Lower

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.1% in December, edging down from 4.2% in November, marking the 20th consecutive month of declines in the state’s unemployment rate.  Nonfarm payroll employment in Oregon rose by 8,200 in December, following a revised gain of 9,200 jobs in November, and State Employment Economist Gail Krumenauer says that capped a strong year of job growth.  Krumenauer did say the impact of the Omicron variant on jobs would not be reflected in these numbers.  If there is a significant impact, that will be reflected in January numbers to be released in early March.