Exploring the Eastern Oregon Workforce
May 04, 2026The size of the civilian labor force – which comprises the total of all civilians age 16 and older classified as employed or unemployed – dropped to a low of 79,291in 2016, and since 2018 has been on a steady upward swing, reaching 85,796 in 2025.
Since 2015, Eastern Oregon’s annual average unemployment rate was at a high of 7.0% in 2020. From 2015 to 2019, the unemployment rate decreased by 1.3 percentage points before jumping up 2.0 percentage points during the pandemic. The region’s unemployment rate dropped to a recent low of 4.3% by 2023, before rising back up to 5.4% in 2025.
In 2024, 88.2% of Eastern Oregonians over the age of 25 were high school graduates or higher, compared to Oregon’s overall rate of 91.8%. Eastern Oregon reports higher rates of educational attainment at key milestones through associate’s degree but falls below the statewide rates for attainment of bachelor’s degree or higher.
| Eastern Oregon | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Population 25 years and over | 129,003 | 3,044,782 |
| Less than 9th grade | 4.9% | 3.3% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma | 6.8% | 4.9% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 30.8% | 22.4% |
| Some college, no degree | 26.4% | 23.5% |
| Associate's degree | 9.8% | 9.1% |
| Bachelor's degree | 14.0% | 22.7% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 7.2% | 14.1% |
| High school graduate or higher | 88.2% | 91.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 36.8% |
Educational attainment varies widely by county. Baker, Grant, Harney, Union, and Wallowa have high school (or higher) rates above 90%. Malheur, Morrow, and Umatilla all have rates lower than 85%. Malheur and Umatilla with their large populations put downward pressure on Eastern Oregon’s overall high school graduate and degree holder rates. Furthermore, attainment of a bachelor’s or higher ranges from a rate of 10.1% in Morrow to Wallowa at 38.2%.
Higher Disability Rates Can Create More Barriers to Employment
The Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) shows that 15.1% (15,261 residents) of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 18 to 64 in Eastern Oregon had some type of disability. The state’s overall rate of disability was 12.9%. In general, older residents have a higher rate of disability and the region’s higher rate could likely be tied to its higher ratio of older residents to younger residents. This could also suggest a larger portion of workers with a disability are in older age groups.
| Eastern Oregon | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population | 181,665 | 4,210,933 |
| With a disability | 19.6% | 15.5% |
| 18 to 64 years | 101,066 | 2,568,083 |
| With a disability | 15.1% | 12.9% |
Household Internet Use Rates Pose Possible Barriers to Employment
The Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) also shows Eastern Oregonians have a lower rate of households with computers and broadband internet subscriptions than the state overall. Data shows that 14.5% (10,373) of total households in Eastern Oregon lack a broadband internet subscription.
| Eastern Oregon | Oregon | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Households | 71,540 | 1,718,422 |
| With a computer | 92.9% | 96.6% |
| With a broadband Internet subscription | 85.5% | 92.4% |
Job seekers lacking personal internet connectivity can face barriers to a successful job search. This could also impact working in jobs that require computer and technology usage as part of regular duties.