SALEM — Unemployment rates were mixed across the region last month, declining in three of Northeastern Oregon’s six counties and rising in the other three, although the numbers were below 4.5% throughout this corner of the state.

Baker County’s jobless rate climbed to 3.9% in June from 3.7% in May, according to the latest data from the Oregon Employment Department. 

Jobless numbers also rose last month in Morrow County (to 3.5%, up from 3.2% in May) and Umatilla County (to 3.7% in June from 3.3 % in May).

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate declined in Grant (4.4% in June vs. 4.8% in May), Union (4.2% in June, down from 4.7% in May) and Wallowa counties (3.3% for June, down from May’s 3.9%).

When adjusted for normal seasonal fluctuations, however, the numbers stayed essentially flat across the region last month.

The seasonally adjusted jobless rate was unchanged last month in three counties: 3.9% in Umatilla, 4.6% in Union and 4.3% in Wallowa.

In the region’s other three counties, it varied by just a 10th of a point. 

The seasonally adjusted unemployment level dipped to 4.4% from 4.5% in in Baker County and to 3.6% from 3.7% in Morrow.

In Grant County, the rate ticked up to 5.0% from 4.9%.

By way of comparison, Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate last month was 3.9%, down from 3.7% in May. The state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 4.1% in June, down from 4.2% in May.

The national average jobless level was 4.3% in June, up from 3.7% in May, while the seasonally adjusted numbers were 4.1% for June and 4.0% for May.