Oregon state economists say statewide unemployment is at a record low and that employers are reporting that it's difficult to fill vacancies.

SALEM — Unemployment in Grant County rose a point in March, climbing to 7.3% from February’s revised 6.3% rate, according to the latest data from the Oregon Employment Department.

Adjusted for seasonal fluctuations, the county’s jobless rate was 4.7%, up from 4.5% the month prior.

Year over year, Grant County’s raw jobless rate was up 0.9% from March 2023, while the seasonally adjusted rate was down 1.4%, the department reported.

Some 238 Grant County workers were out of a job in March from a civilian labor force of 3,273. Total nonfarm employment was 2,470, up 50 jobs from March 2023.

Total private employment last month was 1,380. Trade, transportation and utilities was the county’s largest private employer with 300 jobs, including 230 in retail trade. Private education and health services was next with 220 jobs, flowed by leisure and hospitality (180), manufacturing (160), and professional and business services (130).

The public sector employed 1,090 in March, with 730 jobs in local government, 230 in federal and 130 in state.