(Washington, DC) - The Department of Employment Services (DOES) announced that the Washington Metropolitan Division's not seasonally adjusted December unemployment rate was 5.8 percent, down 0.3 percent from the revised 6.1 percent in November. The December 2010 unemployment rate was down from 2009.

Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment 

The civilian labor force in the Washington Metropolitan Division decreased by 1,200 in December as the number of employed increased by 6,300 while those who were unemployed decreased by 7,600.

Over the last twelve months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 41,600. While the number of unemployed division residents decreased by 12,100, the division civilian labor force increased by 29,400. 

Job Growth

Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month by 1,000 jobs. The private sector increased by 200 jobs while the public sector increased by 800 jobs. Within the private-sector, job gains were registered in educational and health services which gained (3,000 jobs); trade, transportation and utilities gained (2,500 jobs); and financial activities gained (600 jobs). Job losses were registered in mining, logging and construction which lost (-1,600 jobs); professional and business services which lost (-500 jobs); manufacturing lost (-500 jobs); other services lost (-1,200 jobs); leisure and hospitality lost
 (-1,900 jobs); and information lost (-200 jobs). In the public sector, the state government gained 600 jobs; the federal government gained 1,500 jobs; while the local government lost -1,300 jobs.

During the last twelve months, the Washington Metropolitan Division increased by 45,900 jobs. The private-sector gained 33,400 jobs, while the public sector gained 12,500 jobs. In the private sector, job gains were registered in educational and health services which gained (15,400 jobs); trade, transportation and utilities gained (10,700 jobs); leisure and hospitality gained (9,800 jobs); and professional and business services gained (15,200 jobs). Job losses were in other services which lost (-5,000 jobs); mining, logging and construction lost (-6,300 jobs); information lost (-2,200 jobs); manufacturing lost (-1,900 jobs); and financial activities lost
 (-2,300 jobs). In the public sector, federal government gained 11,700 jobs; the state government lost -1,100 jobs; meanwhile local government gained 1,900 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 1,000 in December: the number of employed residents increased by 6,800, while the number of unemployed residents decreased by 5,800. The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 5.3 percent in December, was down 0.2 percent from the revised rate in November.

Over the year, there was an increase of 43,900 employed residents in the suburban ring. With 3,400 less unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force increased by 40,500. The suburban ring’s December unemployment rate was down 0.2 percent from December 2009.

For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of employed residents increased by 7,500. With 9,400 less unemployed metropolitan area residents, the civilian labor force in the metropolitan area decreased by 1,900 in December. The unemployment rate in the metropolitan statistical area, at 5.7 percent in December, was down 0.3 percent from the revised 6.0 percent rate in November.

Compared to December 2009, the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s civilian labor force increased by 38,000. The number of employed increased by 50,800 and the number of unemployed decreased by 12,800.  The Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area’s December unemployment rate was down 0.5 percent from the December 2009 rate of 6.2 percent.

Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth

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).

Wage and Salary Employment by Industry and Place of Work*

Employment Status for the Civilian Population*