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Douglas County Benchmark Revisions to the Nonfarm Employment Data
by Brian Rooney
Published Mar-16-2009

 
Nonfarm employment estimates for Douglas County and all regions of the state have been revised to reflect the availability of more accurate employment counts. The monthly estimates, published in this newsletter, are based on an employer survey conducted on a monthly basis. As more complete data from other sources, including unemployment insurance tax data, comes in each year, Employment Department economists adjust the estimates to reflect the better information. The latest revisions indicate that preliminary employment estimates for Douglas County for 2008 were higher than the more accurate revised numbers. The 2008 annual average total nonfarm employment figure was adjusted downward from 39,140 to 37,530 or 4.1 percent.

The largest adjustments were made in wood product manufacturing (-460, -12.8%), general merchandise stores (+100, +11.2%) and construction (-190, -9.8%).

The revised data indicate that overall, Douglas County employment decreased by 1,860 jobs or 4.7 percent in 2008. The decrease indicated an acceleration of the downward trend in the economy when compared to the 0.9 percent loss experienced in 2007. Statewide the job loss was 0.6 percent in 2008.

This year's industry breakout shows no industry sectors gaining jobs in 2008. Only other services - which includes car repair and hair stylist services - held steady. Some of the industries losing jobs include:

  • Mining and logging, which is primarily logging in Douglas County (-110, -11.5%)

  • Construction (-210, -10.8%) due largely to slowing residential construction.

  • Manufacturing (-600, -10.3%), where losses in lumber and wood products (-480, -13.3%) and other durables (-140, -7.4%) were countered by a small gain in nondurable goods (+20).

  • Retail trade (-390, -8.2%) largely from other retail, which includes car dealerships.

  • Financial activities (-120, -7.1%), which includes banks and real estate.

  • Professional and business services (-140, -4.5%) largely due to losses at staffing firms.

  • Educational (private) and health services (-40, -0.9%).

  • Food services and drinking places (-50, -1.7%).

Table 1
Douglas County Annual Average Nonfarm Employment 
  2007 2008 # change % change
       
TOTAL NONFARM PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT 39,390 37,530 -1,860 -4.7%
  TOTAL PRIVATE 30,570 28,810 -1,760 -5.8%
        Mining & Logging 960 850 -110 -11.5%
        Construction  1,950 1,740 -210 -10.8%
        Manufacturing  5,830 5,230 -600 -10.3%
            Durable Goods  5,510 4,890 -620 -11.3%
                Wood Product Manufacturing 3,610 3,130 -480 -13.3%
            Nondurable Goods  320 340 20 6.3%
        Trade, Transportation, & Utilities 7,250 6,760 -490 -6.8%
            Wholesale Trade  660 630 -30 -4.5%
            Retail Trade  4,780 4,390 -390 -8.2%
                Food & Beverage Stores 1,110 1,100 -10 -0.9%
                General Merchandise Stores 930 990 60 6.5%
            Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities 1,820 1,740 -80 -4.4%
        Information  390 350 -40 -10.3%
        Financial Activities  1,690 1,570 -120 -7.1%
        Professional & Business Services  3,110 2,970 -140 -4.5%
        Educational & Health Services  4,580 4,540 -40 -0.9%
        Leisure & Hospitality  3,630 3,610 -20 -0.6%
                Food Services & Drinking Places 2,870 2,820 -50 -1.7%
        Other Services  1,200 1,200 0 0.0%
    Government 8,820 8,720 -100 -1.1%
        Federal Government 1,480 1,540 60 4.1%
        State Government 1,160 1,150 -10 -0.9%
        Local Government 6,180 6,040 -140 -2.3%
            Local GovernmentTribal 1,250 1,190 -60 -4.8%
            Local Education 3,020 2,920 -100 -3.3%
            Local Government, excluding Education 1,910 1,920 10 0.5%
LABOR-MANAGEMENT DISPUTES 0 0 0  
Note: Sums may not add up to totals due to rounding error.      
Graph 1
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