(Washington, DC)  The Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced today that the Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted August 2007 unemployment rate was 3.1 percent, down 0.2 percent from the July 2007 rate.  The August 2007 rate was 0.3 percent lower than the rate in August 2006.

Washington Metropolitan Division Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 32,100 in August 2007, as employment declined by 26,100 and the number unemployed decreased by 6,100.  The unemployment rate in the Washington Metropolitan Division, at 3.1 percent in August, was down 0.2 percent from the rate in July 2007.  

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division rose by 15,700.   With 6,200 fewer unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force rose by 9,600.  The metropolitan division’s August 2007 unemployment rate was down 0.3 percent from the rate in August 2006.

Washington Metropolitan Division Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased over the month in August 2007 by 6,200.  The private sector decreased by 900 jobs and the public sector lost 5,300 jobs.  Within the private sector, losses were registered in trade, transportation, and utilities (down by 800 jobs), other services (down by 600 jobs), financial activities (down by 400 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (down by 200 jobs).  Gains were recorded in natural resources, mining and construction (up by 500 jobs), manufacturing, information, and educational and health services (up by 200 jobs each).  Professional and business services were unchanged over the month.    In the public sector, local government lost 3,400 jobs; the federal government shed 1,500 jobs; and state government lost 400 jobs.   

During the past 12 months, the Washington Metropolitan Division gained 37,500 jobs.  The private sector added 34,700 jobs and the public sector gained 2,800 jobs.  Private sector gains were registered in professional and business services (up by 17,100 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 4,900 jobs), educational and health services (up by 3,600 jobs), leisure and hospitality (up by 3,100 jobs), other services (up by 2,900 jobs), financial activities (up by 1,900 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (up by 1,300 jobs), and manufacturing (up by 300 jobs). The only loss was registered in information (down by 400 jobs).  In the public sector, state government added 1,900 jobs, local government gained 1,000 jobs, and the federal government lost 100 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 decreased by 42,100 in August 2007 as employment declined by 33,300 and the number unemployed decreased by 8,700.  The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 2.7 percent in August, was down 0.3 percent from the rate in July 2007.  

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the suburban ring rose by 13,400.   With 6,400 fewer unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 6,900.  The suburban ring’s August 2007 unemployment rate was down 0.3 percent from the rate in August 2006.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of persons in the civilian labor force decreased by 45,200 in August 2007.  The number of employed residents in the metropolitan area fell by 35,200 and the number of unemployed residents decreased by 9,900.  The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate at 3.0 percent in August 2007 was 0.3 percent lower than the rate in July 2007.

Compared to August 2006, the metropolitan area’s civilian labor force rose by 7,300.  Employment increased by 15,700 and unemployment fell by 8,400.  The Washington Metropolitan Area’s August 2007 unemployment rate was down 0.3 percent from the August 2006 rate of 3.3 percent. 

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth

August 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 October 2, 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).