april 2003 employment trends local the portland metro area s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8 5 percent in february over half a point lower than year ago of 9 1 number people labor force was slightly 2002 6 900 and unemployed declined as well 7 400 which is not seasonally adjusted typically rises between january economy saw small net gain jobs month 600 manufacturing sector accounts for about one every eight by 800 now 300 below levels 700 transportation equipment couldn t offset losses high tech computer electronic product down 3 500 0 past 12 months 24 pmsa raw feb na jan oregon
