Columbia Gorge Industry Employment Projections, 2019-2029
November 24, 2020 The five-county Columbia Gorge area (Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler) is expected to add 2,630 jobs by 2029, with total employment rising to 32,960. The 10-year projection pegs growth in the Columbia Gorge area at 9 percent, matching Oregon’s 9 percent increase.Employment in the Columbia Gorge totaled 30,330 in the 2019 base year. Private industry employment represented about 82 percent or 28,750 jobs. Self-employment represented 5 percent or 1,580 jobs, and government held about 13 percent 3,850 jobs.
Within private industry, education and health services is expected to add the most jobs, rising by 620 or 15 percent in 10 years to average 4,840 in 2029. Leisure and hospitality is projected to grow by 410 jobs, rising to 4,300, an increase of 11 percent. Natural resources and mining (+370); manufacturing (+280); trade, transportation, and utilities (+230); professional and business services (+140); other services (+120); and construction (+110) are all projected to add jobs over the 2019-2029 period.


