For the first time in five months, Oregon's unemployment rate dropped in July.
Oregon's rate fell to 8.1 percent from 8.5 percent in June, the first decline since it dropped from 7.6 percent in January to 7.3 percent in February, according to the Oregon Employment Department.
The U.S. rate dropped from 6.4 percent in June to 6.2 percent in July, so despite the July drop in Oregon's rate, it is still close to two percentage points above the U.S. figure.
Despite the encouraging news, the Employment Department noted that total payroll employment was 15,800 jobs below its level of July 2002, a 1 percent decline in that 12-month period.
Construction employment grew by 3,800 jobs, or 400 greater than the normal seasonal movement. But despite the job gains in July, Oregon's total construction employment was down 1,200 jobs from one year ago.
Manufacturing continued to struggle in July. Even though 2,500 jobs were added, this was still 1,900 jobs short of normal seasonal movement. Manufacturing was down 8,600 jobs from a year ago.
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