While lack of strong employment growth is discouraging, the sectoral employment picture is even more troubling. Historically, strong concentrations in any one industry have left regions especially vulnerable to economic downturns. Coos Bay is more reliant on the government, retail trade, transportation, communication, and public utilities sectors than the nation as a whole. Heavy reliance on a given industry is not a problem in and of itself, however it can present problems. For example, if the Federal Government were to cut a large number of employees, Coos County would be hit harder than the nation on average.
Several industries are also underrepresented in Coos County.
The share of service industry employees in Coos County is far below that of the State of Oregon but during the next few years, service industry employment is expected to increase in Coos County. Manufacturing also is underrepresented in Coos County. Employment projections indicate that the share of manufacturing employment will continue to deteriorate for the next several years. Unemployment in Coos County has fluctuated considerably since 1985. These fluctuations represent the recession earlier in the decade, as well as job reductions in the wood products industry that have occurred over the past decade.