Monday, Oct 10 2011 3:13PM
A high jobless rate in Crook County has led to an extensive number of foreclosures, a report by the Oregonian reveals.
The unemployment rate in Crook County, Oregon, remained above 15 percent in August, leaving many of the rural community's residents struggling to get by, The Oregonian reports.
According to the paper, the county's jobless rate has been the highest in Oregon for the past three years. In 2009, the rate reached its peak of nearly 19 percent.
The economic downturn continues to affect residents, many of whom remain pessimistic about a possible recovery, one analyst from the county told the newspaper.
"People feel like we're still in a recession," Jason Carr, economic development director in Crook County, told the paper. He added that "it would be difficult for me to believe that things would get a whole lot worse than they are now."
The county's poor economy has led many to seek employment and housing opportunities elsewhere. Since the recession, Betty Roppe, mayor of Prineville, located in Crook County, told the paper roughly 1,000 residents have moved away.
The Oregon Employment Department reports the state's unemployment rate was 9.6 percent in August, higher than the national average of 9.1 percent.
For further reference, check out these sources:
The Oregonian,
Oregon Employment Department