QuickTake:

Lane County's seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 4.8% in July. The biggest job losses, compared to last year, were in local education.

Lane County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in July was 4.8% — about even with the revised rate of 4.7% in May, but higher than the 4.2% mark in July 2024, according to the monthly report from the Oregon Employment Department.

Over the past year, the county’s economy lost 2,600 jobs or 1.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis, the report said.

The biggest losses in the private sector came in the professional and business services category, which lost 700 jobs over the last year. Retail trade was down 500 jobs, while construction, wholesale trade and financial activities all lost 300 jobs year over year.

Net government jobs were down 600 over the past 12 months, with the biggest decline in local education, which lost 800 jobs. That loss was partially offset by a 200-job increase in state government.

In the month-to-month comparison, the local education category lost 5,400 jobs between June and July in a seasonal fluctuation driven by summer break. Private sector employment was up slightly month to month, posting a gain of 700 jobs, fueled in part by small gains in construction and the leisure-and-hospitality sector.

The Employment Department estimated that about 178,337 people were employed in the civilian labor force in Lane County in July 2025, with 10,165 unemployed.

Lane County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July was slightly less than the statewide rate of 5%. The U.S. rate was 4.2%.

Sectors showing year-to-year growth include leisure and hospitality, up 800 jobs, and private education and health services, up 1,200, with most of those jobs coming in health care.

The Eugene-Springfield metro area isn’t alone in job losses in Oregon.

While the Eugene-Springfield area lost 1.6% of its overall jobs since July 2024, other areas such as Portland and Grants Pass lost 2% and 3.9% of their overall jobs respectively.