(Washington, DC) - The Department of Employment Services (DOES), announced that the Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted April 2009 unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percent to 5.8 percent. This resulted in a 2.7 percent increase from April 2008.

Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment 

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 3,900 in April 2009 as employment rose by 9,600 while those who were unemployed decreased by 5,600.

Over the last twelve months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 77,400. With 65,100 more unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force decreased by 12,300. 

Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 6,700. The private sector increased by 8,600 jobs while the public sector decreased by 1,900 jobs. Within the private sector, leisure and hospitality gained 3,000 jobs, professional and business services gained 2,500 jobs, trade, transportation and utilities gained 1,900 jobs, educational and health services gained 1,700 jobs, and other services gained 800 jobs. Losses were registered in information and mining, logging and construction (-600 jobs each), and financial activities (-100 jobs). Meanwhile manufacturing was unchanged. In the public sector, federal government added 800 jobs; while the state government lost 2,100 jobs, and the local government lost 600 jobs.

During the last twelve months, the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 28,700 jobs. The private sector lost 34,200 jobs while the public sector gained 5,500 jobs. The private sector growth occurred in educational and health services (+7,900 jobs), professional and business services and other services (+800 jobs each). Losses were registered in mining, logging and construction (-15,800 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (-9,400 jobs), leisure and hospitality (-6,200 jobs), information (-5,500 jobs), financial activities (-4,700 jobs), and manufacturing (-2,100 jobs). In the public sector, federal government gained 6,200 jobs; the state government added 1,900 jobs; while the local government lost 2,600 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 6,600 in April 2009: the number of employed residents increased by 13,100 and the number of unemployed residents decreased by 6,400. The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 5.2 percent in April 2009, was 0.2 percent lower than the rate in March 2009.

Over the year, there was a decrease of 75,600 employed residents in the suburban ring. With 66,900 more unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force decreased by 8,800. The suburban ring’s April 2009 unemployment rate was up 2.5 percent from April 2008.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of employed residents increased by 11,200. With 7,200 fewer unemployed metropolitan area residents, the civilian labor force in the metropolitan area increased by 4,000 in April 2009. The unemployment rate in the metropolitan area, at 5.6 percent in April 2009, was 0.3 percent lower than the rate in March 2009.

Compared to April 2008, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force decreased by 16,200. Employment decreased by 96,000 and the number of unemployed rose by 79,700.  The Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s April 2009 unemployment rate was up 2.6 percent from the April 2008 rate of 3.0 percent.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth

April 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 June 19, 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).

For more information please review the attached tables:

Employment Status for the Civilian Population of the District of Columbia*

Wage and Salary Employment by Industry and Place of Work*