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Washington Metropolitan Division's Unemployment Low for April 2006
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DC's Unemployment Ranks Among the Lowest in Major Metropolitan Areas
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(Washington, DC) The Washington Metropolitan Division’s not seasonally adjusted April 2006 unemployment rate was 3.0 percent, unchanged from the March 2006 rate, according to a report issued by the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES). The April 2006 rate was 0.4 percent, lower than April 2005 reporting. Both unemployment rates are substantially below the US rate of 4.5 percent and rank among the lowest of the major metropolitan areas. A break-down of the report is as follows:
Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the Washington Metropolitan Division rose by 63,900. With 8,500 fewer unemployed division residents, the division civilian labor force rose by 55,300. The metropolitan division’s April 2006 unemployment rate of 3.0 percent was 0.4 percent lower than the 3.4 percent rate in April 2005.
 
Washington Metropolitan Division Job Growth
Total wage and salary employment in the Washington Metropolitan Division increased over the month in April 2006 by 12,200. The private sector added 12,600 jobs, while the public sector lost 400. In the private sector, gains were registered in leisure and hospitality (up by 5,000 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (up by 3,500 jobs), professional and business services (up by 1,800 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up by 1,500 jobs), educational and health services (up by 700 jobs), information and other services (up by 400 jobs each), and manufacturing (up by 100 jobs). Financial activities lost 800 jobs over the month. In the public sector, local government added 100 jobs; while the state government lost 100 jobs and the federal government lost 400.
During the past 12 months, the Washington Metropolitan Division gained 58,900 jobs. The private sector gained 53,200 jobs and the public sector 5,700. Private sector job gains were registered in professional and business services (up 20,600 jobs), educational and health services (up 9,500 jobs), trade, transportation, and utilities (up 7,900 jobs), leisure and hospitality (up 6,900 jobs), natural resources, mining and construction (up 6,400 jobs), other services (up 1,400 jobs), financial activities (up 800 jobs), and manufacturing (up 500 jobs). Information lost 800 jobs. The local government gained 7,700 jobs, and state government added 500 jobs. The federal government lost 2,500 jobs.
Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment Rate
In April 2006, the civilian labor force in the suburban ring of communities surrounding the District of Columbia increased by 11,600. Employment rose by 11,500. Unemployed increased by 100. The unemployment rate in the suburban ring, at 2.6 percent in April, was unchanged from the rate in March 2006.
Over the last 12 months, the number of employed residents in the suburban ring rose by 93,400. With 7,900 fewer unemployed suburban residents, the suburban civilian labor force rose by 85,500. The suburban ring’s April 2006 unemployment rate of 2.6 percent was 0.4 percent lower than the rate in April 2005.
For the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, the number of persons in the civilian labor force increased by 9,000 in April 2006. The number of employed residents in the metropolitan area rose by 9,700, and the number of unemployed residents decreased by 700. The metropolitan area’s unemployment rate at 2.9 percent in April 2006 was unchanged from the rate in March 2006.
Compared to April 2005, the metropolitan area’s civilian labor force rose by 76,400. Employment increased by 87,700 and unemployment decreased by 11,300. The Washington Metropolitan Area’s April 2006 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent lower than the April 2005 rate of 3.3 percent.
Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area Job Growth
April 2006 wage and salary employment estimates for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area will be released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on May 31, 2006. These estimates will also summarize the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division (to be released by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation).
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