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Highest unemployment.
Once again, the West was the region with the highest unemployment, coming in at 7.3%. The Midwest isn’t too far behind with an unemployment rate of 6.9% as this region continues to feel the impact of a downturn in goods-producing sectors which make up a large portion of the area’s economy. From a state perspective, Florida, Michigan, California and North Carolina experienced the largest decrease in employment as downturns in construction, manufacturing, and financial services impacted these states most heavily.
Lowest unemployment.
The Northeast continues to record the lowest unemployment as compared to the rest of the country with a rate of 6.1% – well below the national average. There is also a strong employment picture in the South as that region reported an unemployment rate of 6.4% which isn’t too far behind the Northeast. Both of these regions are feeling an additional layer of stability and security due to their hybrid economies which have a heavier reliance on relatively stronger industries like healthcare, education, government and professional services.
Of note.
Mapping out areas of note |
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The largest over-the-year decreases in employment occurred in Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Mich. (-72,600), Atlanta-Sandy Springs- Marietta, Ga. (-67,800), Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Fla. (-59,300), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, Calif. (-58,800), and Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. (-57,600). |
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The largest over-the-year percentage gain in employment was recorded in Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas (+2.1 percent), followed by San Antonio, Texas(+2.0 percent), Austin-Round Rock, Texas, and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas (+1.6 percent each), and Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Va.-N.C. (+1.5 percent). |
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