(Washington, DC) - Today, the Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced that the District of Columbia's June 2008 unemployment rate was 6.4 percent, down 0.2 percent from the May 2008 rate (seasonally adjusted). Over the past twelve months, the June rate increased by 0.7 percent. All indications are that the District’s unemployment rate improved over the month even as the national economy continues to be sluggish.
The seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate remained unchanged in June 2008, at 5.5 percent and was 0.9 percent higher than the June 2007 rate.
District of Columbia’s Civilian Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June 2008 was 6.7 percent; up 0.2 percent from the rate in May 2008 and 0.8 percent higher than the rate in June 2007.
Over the month, the District’s civilian labor force increased by 3,100 to 332,400. A total of 310,200 residents were employed and 22,200 were unemployed in June 2008. A 2,300 increase in the number of employed residents along with an 800 increase in the number of unemployed residents resulted in a 0.2 percent increase in the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate.
From June 2007 to June 2008, the District’s civilian labor force increased by 5,600 as the number of employed and unemployed residents both increased by 2,800. The District’s June 2008 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent higher than the rate in June 2007.
The national June 2008 unemployment rate of 5.7 percent (not seasonally adjusted) was 0.5 percent higher than in May 2008 and 1.0 percent higher than in June 2007.
District of Columbia Job Growth
The number of wage and salary jobs in the District increased by 2,300 in June 2008. The private sector had no change while the public sector added 2,300 jobs. In the private sector, professional and business services added 2,700 jobs, other services added 1,000
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jobs, leisure and hospitality increased by 400 jobs, trade, transportation and utilities added 200 jobs, while natural resources and construction and financial activities gained 100 jobs each. Meanwhile, manufacturing was unchanged over the month. Educational and health services lost 4,400 jobs and information lost 100 jobs. In the public sector, the Federal Government gained 2,700 jobs; District Government lost 400 jobs, while transportation was unchanged.
Over the year, the District gained a total of 11,200 jobs. The private sector added 8,800 jobs and the public sector gained 2,400 jobs. Private sector growth occurred in educational and health services (up by 6,000 jobs), other services (up by 1,900 jobs), professional and business services (up by 1,700 jobs), leisure and hospitality (up by 1,200 jobs), and natural resources, mining and construction (up by 100 jobs). Meanwhile trade, transportation and utilities remained unchanged over the year. Losses were noted in information (down by 1,100 jobs), financial activities (down 900 jobs), and manufacturing (down 100 jobs). In the public sector, the Federal Government increased by 1,300 jobs; District Government gained 900 jobs, and transportation added 200 jobs.