OAR 340-083-0510: Distressed County Index

(1) The Distressed County Index is calculated by multiplying together the following four composite factors using the latest data available on the date of calculation: (a) The state's unemployment rate divided by the county's unemployment rate (U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics); (b) The county's per capita personal income divided by the state's per capita personal income (U.S Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis); (c) The percent change in the county’s average covered payroll per worker over a two year period (U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics); and (d) The percent change in the county’s employment over a two-year period (U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics). (2) The nine most distressed counties are the nine counties with the lowest distressed county index values.