(Washington, DC) The Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced today, that the Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted May 2007 unemployment rate remained unchanged over the month at 2.9 percent. The May 2007 rate was 0.2 percent lower than the rate in May 2006.
Washington Metropolitan Division Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate
The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 8,500 in May 2007 as employment rose by 7,200 and the number unemployed increased by 1,300. The unemployment rate in the Washington Metropolitan Division, at 2.9 percent in May, was unchanged from the rate in April 2007.
Over the last twelve months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division rose by 37,800. With 2,600 fewer unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force rose by 35,200. The metropolitan division’s May 2007 unemployment rate was down 0.2 percent from the rate in May 2006.
Washington Metropolitan Division Job Growth
Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month in May 2007 by 13,900. The private sector increased by 11,100 jobs and the public sector gained 2,800 jobs. Within the private sector, gains were registered in leisure and hospitality (up by 5,100 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 3,400 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (up by 1,700 jobs), professional and business services (up by 1,400 jobs), financial activities (up by 1,000 jobs), other services (up by 600 jobs), information (up by 500 jobs), and manufacturing (up by 100 jobs). Educational and health services lost 2,700 jobs over the month. In the public sector, local government gained 1,700 jobs; the federal government added 700 jobs; and state government gained 400 jobs.
During the past 12 months, the Washington Metropolitan Division gained 45,700 jobs. The private sector added 37,300 jobs and the public sector gained 8,400 jobs. Private sector gains were registered in professional and business services (up by 18,200 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 6,100 jobs), educational and health services (up by 5,000 jobs), leisure and hospitality (up by 3,700 jobs), other services (up by 2,300 jobs), financial activities (up by 2,000 jobs), and natural resources, mining and construction (up by 400 jobs). Losses was registered in manufacturing (down by 300 jobs) and information (down by 100 jobs). In the public sector, state government added 4,100 jobs, local government gained 2,900 jobs, and the federal government added 1,400 jobs.
Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate
The civilian labor force in the suburban ring of communities surrounding the District of Columbia increased by 11,300 in May 2007 as employment rose by 9,200 and the number unemployed increased by 1,900. The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 2.6 percent in May, was up 0.1 percent from the rate in April 2007.
Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the suburban ring rose by 34,100. With 2,200 fewer unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 32,200. The suburban ring’s May 2007 unemployment rate was down 0.1 percent from the rate in May 2006.
For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of persons in the civilian labor force increased by 10,700 in May 2007. The number of employed residents in the metropolitan area rose by 8,100 and the number of unemployed residents increased by 2,500. The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate at 2.9 percent in May 2007 was up 0.1 percent from the rate in April 2007.
Compared to May 2006, the metropolitan area’s civilian labor force rose by 38,200. Employment increased by 41,800 and unemployment fell by 3,800. The Washington Metropolitan Area’s May 2007 unemployment rate was down 0.2 percent from the May 2006 rate of 3.1 percent.
Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth
May 2007 wage and salary employment estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on June 27, 2007. The estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be the summation of the estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division (contained in this release) and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division (to be released by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation).