The most recent jobless numbers are not as recent as you might expect. Among the lingering effects of the federal government shutdown is a delay in state unemployment numbers. News of a late-summer rise in Oregon jobless claims has only now come to light.

Oregon’s unemployment rate has climbed one percentage point over the last year to hit 5.2% in September, one of the highest rates the state has seen in years.

Oregon’s Employment Department was finally able to verify September’s unemployment data after the 43-day government shutdown delayed the release of federal data that state economists rely on.

Data collection needed to calculate the October unemployment rate did not happen while the government was closed. As a result, Oregon will not publish an October unemployment rate at all.

See Full Page