Labor Market Contraction Hits Coos and Curry Counties
Coos County recorded a decline of 470 payroll jobs in July, primarily driven by a seasonal reduction in local government education. The Oregon Employment Department report highlights that total payroll numbers in the county dropped by 2.0 percent compared to July 2025. This figure represents a total loss of 450 jobs over the past twelve months.
Specific sectors within Coos County faced varying degrees of pressure. Construction and professional services saw minor gains of 20 positions each. Conversely, transportation, warehousing, and utility sectors reported a combined loss of 40 jobs. Private education and health services also contracted by 20 positions during the same timeframe.
Long-Term Trends and Industrial Shifts
The annual data for Coos County points to broader structural changes within the local economy. Manufacturing, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality each shed 150, 120, and 120 jobs respectively over the last year. Retail trade and construction followed, posting declines of 80 and 70 positions.
Some segments managed to buck the downward trend. Private education and health services added 100 jobs, while financial activities grew by 10. Government employment saw an uptick of 40 positions, anchored by a gain of 110 jobs in Indian tribal local government. Federal government payrolls, however, decreased by 20 positions since July 2025.
Curry County Employment Landscape
Curry County reported a smaller but measurable dip in employment. Payrolls fell by 30 jobs during July. As seen in Coos County, the decrease was heavily influenced by a seasonal reduction of 120 positions in local government education. The private sector provided a small offset, with leisure and hospitality adding 60 jobs. Other industries in the region remained largely flat.
The year-over-year picture for Curry County shows a total contraction of 20 jobs, bringing the estimated total to 6,670 positions in July. Construction and leisure and hospitality were the hardest hit, each losing 30 jobs. Local government education also saw a decline of 20 roles. Professional and business services, retail trade, and local government excluding educational services each added 20 jobs to the total.
Broader Economic Implications
The dual decline across these South Coast counties illustrates the sensitivity of local labor markets to seasonal education cycles and broader shifts in industrial demand. While some sectors show signs of life, the overall trend reflects a period of adjustment. Future updates from the Oregon Employment Department will clarify if these patterns signal a temporary cycle or a longer period of economic stagnation for the region.