There might not be any jobs, but the AP is reporting that people are still moving to Oregon at a relatively high rate.

Oregon's population has swelled to 3.6 million, a 4.7 percent increase since 2000, according to new estimates from Portland State University's Population Research Center.

The state's population jumped 1.2 percent from July 2003 to July 2004, reflecting a better economy, according to the estimates. But the size of increase pales next to the 2 percent to 2.5 percent increases of the mid-1990s.

"The economy is picking up a bit, and the statewide population is picking up a bit," said Qian Cai, population estimates manager.

Deschutes County, as expected, ranked as the state's fastest-growing, with "outdoor-minded young people and retirees" leading the charge, Cai said. The county grew by 3.8 percent in the past year and more than 17 percent since 2000. Three of its cities -- Bend, Redmond and Sisters -- are among the state's fastest growing.

It's a wonderful place to live (anyone can attest to that), but I'm just a little concerned about where these people are going to find employment when the state unemployment rate is 7.3%.