Oregon Office of Economic Analysis

Working on updating some regional data for the forecast publication (release August 28th) and wanted to share. The following looks at the Top 3 industries by region based on location quotients. This does not measure the largest industries in absolute size – those would likely be health services, professional and business services, retail trade, government and the like – but rather the largest in relative size compared to the state overall. One can think of these more as regional specialization – what local industries have the highest relative concentration. A lot of the following is likely what one would expect however there are a few surprises in here.

North Coast

1. Fishing, hunting and trapping (NAICS 114)
2. Accomodation (NAICS 721)
3. Scenic & sightseeing transportation (NAICS 487)

South Coast

1. Fishing, hunting and trapping (NAICS 114)
2. Forestry & logging (NAICS 113)
3. Mining (NAICS 212)

Portland Metro

1. Air Transportation (NAICS 481)
2. Petroleum & Coal Manufacturing (NAICS 324)
3. Computer & Electronic Product Manufacturing (NAICS 334)

Willamette Valley

1. State Government
2. Agriculture & Forestry Support (NAICS 115)
3. Chemical Manufacturing (NAICS 325)

Southern Oregon

1. Wood Products Manufacturing (NAICS 321)
2. Forestry & logging (NAICS 113)
3. Information, Other (NAICS 519)

Columbia Gorge

1. Crop Production (NAICS 111)
2. Beverage Manufacturing (NAICS 312)
3. Agriculture & Forestry Support (NAICS 115)

Central Oregon

1. Broadcasting (NAICS 515)
2. Accomodation (NAICS 721)
3. Amusement, Gambling and Recreation (NAICS 713)

SE Oregon

1. Animal Production (NAICS 112)
2. Wood Products Manufacturing (NAICS 321)
3. Gas Stations (NAICS 447)

NE Oregon

1. Animal Production (NAICS 112)
2. Agriculture & Forestry Support (NAICS 115)
3. Food Manufacturing (NAICS 311)

Again, these industries represent the relative concentration in each region not where the majority of workers are employed. Overall the broad patterns are what one would likely expect.  There are tourism-related industries on the Northern Coast and in Central Oregon. Animal Production in the eastern counties (cattle) and wood and forestry-related industries in the South. Portland’s top two industries may be somewhat surprising but make more sense upon second thought. The state overall does not have a lot of these types of jobs however they are concentrated in Portland, therefore the regional location concentration is high.

Note that the above uses 2012 QCEW data at the 3 digit NAICS level. Furthermore, this quarter we are working on revamping the forecast publication and will likely be modifying our regional focus. Stay tuned for more information in a couple weeks.