SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The unemployment rate in Oregon has finally fallen below the double-digit mark.
The Oregon Employment Department said Tuesday the seasonally adjusted jobless rate fell to 9.6 percent in April, the lowest rate since 9.2 percent in December 2008.
The rate had been hovering in the mid-10 percent range for about a year after hitting a high of 11.6 percent in June 2009.
In April, the state added 1,600 jobs after a net loss of 2,000 jobs in March.
Manufacturing showed strength by adding 700 jobs in April when a loss of 500 is typical for the month, while the leisure and hospitality sector gained 4,600 jobs when 1,600 is typical.
The state also revised the March jobless figure down slightly from 10 percent to 9.9 percent.
