For years, Jefferson County has appeared near the very top of Oregon's economic distress rankings — the kind of list no community wants to lead. But new data from Business Oregon suggests the tide may finally be turning.
From Third to Eighth
Business Oregon recently released its annual county economic distress rankings, which measure unemployment, income levels, wage growth, and employment trends relative to state averages. Jefferson County ranked first — highest distress — in 2023. It held at third in both 2024 and 2025. This year, it has moved to eighth.
Brenna O'Sullivan-Fulks, the Jefferson County area director for Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), described the shift as meaningful but emphasized there's more work ahead. "These rankings are a helpful snapshot," she said, noting that the county is also seeing "increased business interest" that the data alone doesn't fully capture.
Seven Active Projects, Up from Two
O'Sullivan-Fulks said EDCO has seen the number of active economic development projects in Jefferson County jump from two in 2024 to seven today. "That combination points to a community gaining momentum," she said.
"When your neighbor's successful, you also can reap some of those rewards." — Mark Wunsch, Jefferson County Commission Chair
Commission Chair Mark Wunsch attributed part of the improvement to remote work trends making places like Central Oregon increasingly attractive. "When you have that flexibility, being able to work wherever you want, or have some options, what better place than Central Oregon?" he said.
Regional Lift
Wunsch also credited growth in neighboring Crook and Deschutes counties for helping Jefferson County. Regional economic health creates spillover effects — jobs, supply chains, and consumer spending don't stop at county lines.
Economic development efforts in Jefferson County have been ongoing for years, building through partnerships with the Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, EDCO, and state programs. Lottery funding from the state helps support EDCO's work in the county.
What It Means for Residents
Improved economic rankings translate into real impacts: lower unemployment, better wages, and more business options locally. For a county that has long struggled with a high proportion of its workforce leaving for jobs in Bend or elsewhere, signs of local economic vitality matter.
The improvements don't mean the work is done — Jefferson County still ranks in the top ten for economic distress statewide. But the direction of travel is positive, and local leaders say the momentum is real.