Portland Closing in On Gaining Back All Jobs Lost During Recession

The State of Oregon reports that Portland is on the verge of gaining back all the jobs lost during recession.  Washington County has already regained all the jobs lost to the recession and Multnomah County will likely do the same in a few months.  Clackamas and Yamhill counties are recovering more slowly and Columbia County employment remains flat.

Meanwhile the June unemployment rate of 7.3% is down one full point from a year ago. The regional unemployment rate is now lower than the U.S. rate, after several years of being higher.

Almost every major industry has seen employment growth except high tech manufacturing and government, which remain flat.