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Top 10 Cities in Oregon Boasting the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026

If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career but love your hometown, you might be on the hunt for a new job right in your community. But how challenging will it be to find a job in your area? To assist with your search, we’ve compiled a list of Oregon cities showcasing the strongest job markets, as indicated by their low unemployment rates.

Many residents find their homes in specific areas due to job opportunities, but if you’re considering a move to Oregon—whether for its stunning landscapes or lifestyle—you’ll want to know about the local job market’s strength.

We analyzed demographic data from the Census Bureau to identify the cities with the lowest unemployment rates in the Beaver State. After establishing a minimum population threshold, we evaluated data from various cities to pinpoint the best job markets:

For employers considering relocation, a community with a low unemployment rate often signals a healthy local economy. Newport stands out as the city in Oregon with the lowest unemployment rate, making it a prime location for job seekers and businesses alike.

Continue reading to explore how we identified these cities with the most robust job markets in Oregon.

For additional job resources in Oregon, consider the following:

How We Determined the Cities in Oregon with the Lowest Unemployment Rates

To identify Oregon’s cities with the lowest unemployment rates, we focused on areas with populations exceeding 10,000 where data was readily available.

This analysis covered 46 cities across Oregon.

We examined the unemployment rates of these cities using the latest American Community Survey data from the Census Bureau, which serves as a reliable indicator of each city’s job market and employment potential for newcomers, whether they are relocating within Oregon or from out of state.

We ranked all cities from one to 46, with one being the city with the lowest unemployment rate. In cases of a tie, the larger city received the higher rank.

If your city isn’t listed in the top ten, you can find a detailed chart at the end of this article. Let’s delve into how the top ten cities achieved their positions.

1. Newport

Population: 10,045
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
Newport claims the top spot with a low unemployment rate of 5.8%, showcasing a thriving job market that sets a benchmark for other cities.

Living in Newport comes with the advantage of a steady job market.

2. Sherwood

Population: 18,687
Unemployment Rate: 6.1%
Sherwood, securing second place with a 6.1% unemployment rate, presents a solid option for job seekers looking for stability.

3. West Linn

Population: 25,710
Unemployment Rate: 6.6%
West Linn follows closely in third place, boasting a 6.6% unemployment rate, reflecting a healthy job market.

4. The Dalles

Population: 15,068
Unemployment Rate: 7.1%
The Dalles ranks fourth with a population of 15,068 and an unemployment rate of 7.1%, making it an attractive location for job seekers.

5. Hillsboro

Population: 95,765
Unemployment Rate: 7.1%
Hillsboro, with a population of 95,765, also has an unemployment rate of 7.1%, indicating a vibrant job market.

6. Wilsonville

Population: 20,335
Unemployment Rate: 7.1%
Wilsonville takes the sixth spot with an unemployment rate of 7.1%, highlighting its appeal for those seeking employment.

7. La Grande

Population: 13,090
Unemployment Rate: 7.3%
La Grande, with its unemployment rate of 7.3%, is positioned as a solid option for job seekers in Oregon.

8. Happy Valley

Population: 15,693
Unemployment Rate: 7.3%
Happy Valley also maintains a 7.3% unemployment rate, creating a competitive job market that attracts new residents.

9. Central Point

Population: 17,443
Unemployment Rate: 7.3%
Central Point rounds out the top nine with a solid unemployment rate of 7.3%, making it a viable choice for job seekers.

10. Tualatin

Source: Wikipedia

Population: 26,604
Unemployment Rate: 7.5%
Tualatin, at #10, has an unemployment rate of 7.5%. Despite being last in this top ten list, it still ranks favorably among the 46 cities analyzed.

Summary of Unemployment Rates Across Oregon

These are the top ten cities in Oregon with the lowest unemployment rates, reflecting strong job markets and opportunities for employment.

If you’re considering a move to Oregon and are open to the idea of relocating before securing a job, these cities should be at the top of your list.

For more insights on job opportunities in various cities and states across the U.S., visit zippia.com. If you’re a recent college graduate thinking about relocating, check out which states recent graduates tend to gravitate towards and which states they leave behind.

Here’s a brief look at cities in Oregon with the highest unemployment rates:

Redmond
Klamath Falls
Roseburg

Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Oregon

City	Rank	Unemployment
Newport	1	5.8%
Sherwood	2	6.1%
West Linn	3	6.6%
The Dalles	4	7.1%
Hillsboro	5	7.1%
Wilsonville	6	7.1%
La Grande	7	7.3%
Happy Valley	8	7.3%
Central Point	9	7.3%
Tualatin	10	7.5%
Bend	11	7.6%
Tigard	12	7.8%
Lake Oswego	13	7.8%
Newberg	14	8.0%
Oregon City	15	8.1%
Pendleton	16	8.4%
Portland	17	8.4%
Hermiston	18	8.5%
Corvallis	19	8.6%
Beaverton	20	8.7%
Milwaukie	21	8.8%
Ashland	22	8.9%
Gladstone	23	9.0%
Keizer	24	9.0%
Canby	25	9.2%
Eugene	26	9.4%
Damascus	27	9.6%
Forest Grove	28	9.8%
Springfield	29	10.6%
Grants Pass	30	10.6%
Salem	31	10.6%
Gresham	32	10.6%
Lebanon	33	10.8%
Coos Bay	34	11.2%
Medford	35	11.2%
Mcminnville	36	11.6%
St. Helens	37	11.7%
Ontario	38	11.7%
Albany	39	11.8%
Woodburn	40	11.8%
Troutdale	41	11.9%
Dallas	42	12.5%
Cornelius	43	13.1%
Roseburg	44	13.4%
Klamath Falls	45	15.8%
Redmond	46	16.5%

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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These Are The 10 Cities In Oregon With The Lowest Unemployment Rate