Oregon Unemployment on the Rise But it's Not a Bad Thing

Unemployment in Oregon is up once again and, once again, it's not necessarily a bad thing, according to the Oregon Employment Department.

The unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in July - up from 4.8 percent in June and the record low of 4.5 percent in March, April, and May of this year.

The rate in the state was just above the nationwide unemployment rate of 4.9 percent.

The employment department says that along with unemployment rising, the number of jobs being created is also increasing.

The state added 3,800 jobs last month, following the 1,900 jobs that had been added in June.

The industries showing the most growth were health care and social assistance, which added 2,100 jobs, professional and business services, which added 1,600 jobs, and leisure and hospitality, which added 1,200 jobs.

The industries not doing so well included manufacturing, which lost 1,200 jobs and construction, which lost 1,100 jobs.

Chart courtesy Oregon Employment Department