(Washington, DC) - The Department of Employment Services (DOES), announced that the Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted February 2009 unemployment rate increased by 0.5 percent, to 6.3 percent. This resulted in a 3.0 percent increase from February 2008.

Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment 

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 6,100 in February 2009 as employment declined by 5,900 while those who were unemployed increased by 12,100.

Over the last twelve months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 56,100. With 70,900 more unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force rose by 14,800. 

Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 5,200. The private sector decreased by 1,400 jobs while the public sector increased by 6,600 jobs. Within the private sector, educational and health services gained 2,600 jobs, professional and business services gained 2,400 jobs, other services added 900 jobs, and information added 100 jobs. Losses were registered in trade, transportation and utilities (-4,300 jobs), mining, logging and construction (-2,200 jobs), leisure and hospitality and financial activities (-400 jobs each), and manufacturing (-100 jobs). In the public sector, state government gained 6,400 jobs; the local government added 2,000 jobs; while the federal government lost 1,800 jobs.

During the last twelve months, the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 4,500 jobs. The private sector lost 8,900 jobs while the public sector gained 4,400 jobs. The private sector growth occurred in educational and health services (+8,200 jobs), professional and business services (+6,300 jobs), leisure and hospitality (+4,900 jobs), and other services (+1,500 jobs). Losses were registered in mining, logging and construction (-11,900 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (-8,500 jobs), information (-3,800 jobs), financial activities (-3,700 jobs), and manufacturing (-1,900 jobs). In the public sector, federal government gained 5,600 jobs; the state government added 2,200 jobs; while the local government lost 3,400 jobs.

Statistical Area Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment

The civilian labor force in the suburban ring of communities surrounding the District of Columbia increased by 2,700 in February 2009: the number of employed residents decreased by 10,900 and the number of unemployed residents increased by 13,600. The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 5.6 percent in February 2009, was 0.5 percent higher than the rate in January 2009.

Over the year, there was a decrease of 59,800 employed residents in the suburban ring. With 71,800 more unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 12,000. The suburban ring’s February 2009 unemployment rate was up 2.7 percent from February 2008.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of employed residents decreased by 10,900. With 15,400 more unemployed metropolitan area residents, the civilian labor force in the metropolitan area increased by 4,500 in February 2009. The unemployment rate in the metropolitan area, at 6.1 percent in February 2009, was 0.5 percent higher than the rate in January 2009.

Compared to February 2008, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force rose by 13,300. Employment decreased by 73,600 and the number of unemployed rose by 86,800.  The Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s February 2009 unemployment rate was up 2.9 percent from the February 2008 rate of 3.2 percent.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth

February 2009 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 April 1, 2009.  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).