(Washington, DC)  Today, the Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced that the Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted December 2007 unemployment rate was 3.2 percent, up 0.1 percent from the November 2007 rate.  The December 2007 rate was 0.2 percent higher than the rate in December 2006.

Washington Metropolitan Division Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 6,600 in December 2007 as employment declined by 8,700 and the number unemployed increased by 2,100.  The unemployment rate in the Washington Metropolitan Division, at 3.2 percent in December, was up 0.1 percent from the rate in November 2007.  

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division rose by 5,200.   With 4,100 more unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force rose by 9,300.  The metropolitan division’s December 2007 unemployment rate was up 0.2 percent from the rate in December 2006.

Washington Metropolitan Division Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month in December 2007 by 9,300.  The private sector increased by 7,200 jobs and the public sector gained 2,100 jobs.  Within the private sector, gains were registered in trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 6,400 jobs), professional and business services (up by 2,200 jobs), other services (up by 800 jobs), and information (up by 500 jobs).  Losses were registered in leisure and hospitality (down by 1,200 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (down by 900 jobs), educational and health services (down by 500 jobs), and financial activities (down by 100 jobs).  Manufacturing was unchanged over the month.  In the public sector, the federal government gained 1,000 jobs; local government added 900 jobs; and state government gained 200 jobs. 

During the past 12 months, the Washington Metropolitan Division gained 34,900 jobs.  The private sector added 32,300 jobs and the public sector gained 2,600 jobs.  Private sector gains were registered in professional and business services (up by 15,800 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 5,300 jobs), leisure and hospitality (up by 3,200 jobs), other services (up by 2,600 jobs), educational and health services (up by 2,300 jobs), financial activities (up by 2,000 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (up by 1,900 jobs), and manufacturing (up by 100 jobs).  A loss was registered in information (down by 900 jobs).  In the public sector, local government added 1,600 jobs and state government gained 1,100 jobs while 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 9,100 in December 2007 as employment declined by 10,900 and the number unemployed increased by 1,600.  The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 2.7 percent in December, was up 0.1 percent from the rate in November 2007.  

Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the suburban ring fell by 3,700.   With 4,200 more unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 800.  The suburban ring’s December 2007 unemployment rate was up 0.2 percent from the rate in December 2006.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of persons in the civilian labor force decreased by 10,800 in December 2007.  The number of employed residents in the metropolitan area fell by 12,500 and the number of unemployed residents increased by 1,600.  The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate at 3.0 percent in December 2007 was unchanged from the rate in November 2007.

Compared to December 2006, the metropolitan area’s civilian labor force rose by 900.  Employment decreased by 2,300 and unemployment rose by 3,000.  The Washington Metropolitan Area’s December 2007 unemployment rate was up 0.1 percent from the December 2006 rate of 2.9 percent. 

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth

December 2007 wage and salary employment estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics on January 29, 2008.  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).