Report: Southern Oregon Employment Holding Line

 The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Jackson County gained 1,160 jobs in April. In spite of the gain, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate remains the same as March at 10.6 percent. Over the year, however, the unemployment rate improved by 0.6 percent from 11.2 percent in April, 2011.

 In Josephine County, the seasonally-adjusted rate improved from 11.7 percent in March to 11.5 in April. That’s an annual improvement of 1.2 percent from April, 2011’s rate of 12.7 percent.

 The leisure and hospitality sector led the way with a gain of 350 jobs in April, followed by retail employment (220), professional and business services (180), health care and social assistance (160), and construction (150).