Joblessness is Gradually Declining in Most Metro Areas

Posted on

As a result of October’s federal government shutdown, the BLS’ latest “Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment” report, concerning September’s job creation statistics, will not be published this month, as originally planned.

September’s data will still be released however, but not until December 5th. On that day, the BLS will publish its final “Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment” report of the year, featuring September and October’s employment figures.

Although September’s statistics have yet to be released, many economists anticipate next month’s report will be quite similar to those of recent months – revealing steady job growth throughout all regions of the United States, leading to a year-over-year deceleration in unemployment within a majority of metro areas.

Last month, the BLS found that 311 of the nation’s 372 metro areas reported lower unemployment rates in August 2013 than in August 2012. In addition, 214 metro areas’ unemployment rates were either lower than, or equal to, August’s national average of 7.3 percent. Additionally, from August 2012 to August 2013, 288 metro areas reported a rise in total nonfarm payroll employment.

Furthermore, last month, the following metro areas also released their employment and inflation statistics, with regards to August’s Consumer Price Indexes and unemployment rates.

See where joblessness is on the decline in your area now: 

Source: BLS

  • Midwest: After lingering at four percent in June and July, Lincoln, Nebraska’s jobless rate declined considerably in August, falling to 3.3 percent, the city’s lowest rate since April. Only 5,900 residents were without work, a decrease of 1,400, when compared to July’s statistics. In fact, August’s unemployment figures were the lowest of 2013.
  • Mountain-Plains: In suit with recent trends, a majority of the greater St. Louis, Missouri, area’s private sectors reported a rise in total employment in August. Hiring surges were particularly noticeable within the area’s leisure and hospitality and financial activities sectors, as total employment increased by 1.9 and 1.6 percent, respectively, from August 2012 to August 2013.
  • New England: For the first month since April, Bangor, Maine’s unemployment rate decreased on a month-to-month basis, dropping to 6.6 percent. However, even though total unemployment declined slightly, by 200, total employment remained unchanged, as 66,400 residents were working for the second straight month.
  • New York–New Jersey: Annual inflation continued to rise within the greater New York City area during the third quarter with an increase from August 2012 to August 2013.
  • Southeast: From August 2012 to August 2013, total employment increased sharply within most of the greater Atlanta, Georgia, area’s private sectors. In particular, hiring rose within the area’s information and education and health services sectors, by 4.6 and 4.2 percent, respectively.
  • Southwest: At 6.9 percent, Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s jobless rate remained unchanged for the second straight month in August. Total unemployment declined slightly, by 700, falling to 26,400, the city’s lowest monthly total since May. Yet, at the same time, Baton Rouge’s civilian labor force, as well as total employment, also decreased, by 5,400 and 4,700, signifying the city’s economic recovery is far from complete.
  • West: The greater San Francisco, California, area’s Consumer Price Indexes continued to augment this summer, rising by two and 1.9 percent, respectively, from August 2012 to August 2013.

Interested in learning more about how our staffing solutions can help in this job market? Contact us now! 

Comments are closed.