(Washington, DC) – The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported today that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the District for December was down 0.1 percent from the revised November rate of 9.8%, while the number of jobs decreased by 1,400 in December. The December seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate was 9.4 percent, down 0.4 percent from the revised rate in November 2010.

At 726,100, jobs are up 22,100 or 3.1 percent from a year ago.  Over the year, the Federal Government along with Professional and Business Services in the private sector registered the most job gains, while Trade, Transportation & Utilities in the private sector, registered a small over-the-year job loss.

Employment Overview
Professional and Business Services lost 1,200 jobs, after a 1,500 job gain in November. With employment at 158,000, jobs are up 7,600 or 5.1 percent from a year ago.

Educational and Health Services gained 1,400 jobs, after a loss of 100 jobs the prior month. With employment at 111,300, jobs are up 6,100 or 5.8 percent from a year ago.

Leisure and Hospitality lost 1,000 jobs following a loss of 300 jobs in November. With employment at 58,700, jobs are up 1,100 or 1.9 percent over the year.

Other Services lost 800 jobs, after a loss of 700 jobs the prior month. At 63,400, employment is down 100 or -0.2 percent from a year ago.

Financial Activities had no over-the-month job change, after a gain of 100 jobs the prior month. With employment at 26,400, jobs are up 500 or 1.9 percent from a year ago.

Information had no over-the-month job change and no over-the-month job change in November. At 18,600, employment is up 300 or 1.6 percent from one year ago.

Construction lost 600 jobs, after a gain of 100 jobs in November. At 11,000, employment is up 300 or 2.8 percent from a year ago.

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities lost 200 jobs, after a gain of 400 jobs in November. With employment at 27,000, the sector is down 400 jobs or -1.5 percent from a year ago.

Manufacturing had no over-the-month job change.  Employment in manufacturing has remained constant.  With employment at 1,300, this sector is down 100 jobs or -7.1 percent from a year ago.  Manufacturing is the smallest sector in the District accounting for less than 0.2 percent of total payroll employment.

Labor Force Overview
The District’s labor force increased by 800 in December, the number of residents employed increased by 1,100, and a decrease in the number of unemployed residents by 300.  At 332,300, the labor force was down 600 from December 2009, with 6,700 more residents employed and 7,300 less residents unemployed.

The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households, while the job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers. As a result, the two statistics may exhibit different trends.

NOTES: The January 2011 unemployment rate and survey of jobs data for the District will be released on Thursday, March 10, 2011. Historical jobs and labor force estimates for District of Columbia and detailed labor market information is available at: http://www.does.dc.gov/does/cwp/view,a,1233,q,538345,doesNav,|32064|.asp.

Data reflects 2009 annual benchmark revisions.

Wage and Salary Employment by Industry and Place of Work*

Employment Status for the Civilian Population*