 The Economics of Oregon’s Natural Resources
Oregon’s total industrial output (TIO) for its natural resource areas—forest, agriculture, recreation and tourism, and marine—amounts to $25.9 billion, which is nearly 13 percent of the state TIO. The forest sector is the largest of the natural resource sectors, with a TIO of $12.8 billion, or 6.9 percent of the state TIO. The 75,000 living-wage jobs it provides represent 3.6 percent of the state total.
Oregon Leads the Nation in Softwood Lumber Production
1993-2001 (in millions of board feet)
|
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
Oregon |
5,326 |
5,577 |
4,833 |
5,288 |
5,589 |
5,486 |
6,056 |
5,927 |
6,056 |
Washington |
3,555 |
3,876 |
3,764 |
3,596 |
3,851 |
3,913 |
4,224 |
4,384 |
4,257 |
California |
3,539 |
3,521 |
3,169 |
3,257 |
3,432 |
3,188 |
3,216 |
3,173 |
2,731 |
Georgia |
2,720 |
2,641 |
2,514 |
2,632 |
2,794 |
2,838 |
2,949 |
2,773 |
2,413 |
Mississippi |
2,167 |
2,267 |
2,219 |
2,301 |
2,306 |
2,299 |
2,503 |
2,395 |
2,327 |
Lumber and Wood Products Employment Percentages by County
Historically, the forest sector has played a central role in Oregon’s economy, and it remains the economic foundation of many rural communities. Forest resources and the businesses built on them constitute the primary source of outside dollars coming into many of these communities. Even with the recent reductions in timber harvest, Oregon’s wood-processing industries provide about 75,000 direct family-wage jobs and contribute approximately $2.8 billion in labor income in addition to substantial indirect jobs and income.
Color Guide:
LESS THAN 5% DEPENDENCE (WHITE)
5% TO 10% DEPENDENCE
MORE THAN 10% DEPENDENCE |
