Florida’s unemployment rates released

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February 2010 is 12.2 percent.  This represents 1,126,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,251,000.  The unemployment rate is up 0.2 percentage point from the January revised rate of 12.0 percent, and up 3.0 percentage points from the February 2009 rate of 9.2 percent.  February’s unemployment rate is the highest in the recorded series and higher than rates recorded in the 1973-1975 recession.  Florida’s unemployment rate remained higher than the national average, which was 9.7 percent in February.

Florida’s total nonagricultural employment in February 2010 is 7,173,200, representing a gain of 26,300 jobs (+0.4 percent) over the month and a job loss of 211,500 jobs, or -2.9 percent, compared to February 2009.  This is the first time since November 2007 that the over the month change was positive.  Florida’s rate of job decline is steeper than the national rate of decline for February which is -2.5 percent over the year.

“February’s unemployment rate underscores the critical importance of our ongoing efforts to support Florida’s families and businesses during these challenging times,” said Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo.  “While the unemployment rate is a lagging indicator of economic recovery, last month’s positive job growth of 26,300 jobs and a 300 percent reduction in the number of layoff notices since the peak last May are both encouraging signs of an improving economy.”

Florida Back to Work

Earlier this month, Governor Charlie Crist announced the Florida Back to Work program.  Since its launch, at least 332 employers from around the state have hired workers through the initiative, which provides reimbursement for up to 95% of an eligible employee’s salary.  More than 3,820 job openings have been posted and nearly 475 employees are already on the job.  The program, to which more than 1,100 employers have applied, is expected to provide 10,000 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs over the next six months.  For more information on worker eligibility requirements, please visit this link or your local One-Stop Career Center.  Participating employers are posting job openings on the Employ Florida Marketplace at www.employflorida.com.

Census Hiring Impact

The Census Bureau, as part of the 2010 count of U.S. residents, is hiring thousands of employees between now and September to assist with the count in Florida.  Starting next week, after the Census April 1^st deadline, up to 63,700 Floridians will work during the next six months to ensure an accurate count so that Floridians receive their fair share of funding and representation in Washington, D.C., during the next decade.  Census job openings, both full and part-time, are posted in the Employ Florida Marketplace at www.employflorida.com.

Quick Facts

• The number of jobs in Florida is 7,173,200, down 211,500 in February 2010 compared to a year ago.  The industry losing the most jobs is construction (-73,600 jobs, -17.1 percent).
• Other industries losing jobs over the year include: trade, transportation, and utilities (-35,100 jobs, -2.3 percent); leisure and hospitality (-33,000 jobs, -3.6 percent); manufacturing (-32,100 jobs, -9.4 percent); financial activities (-24,500 jobs, -5.0 percent); information (-13,000 jobs, -8.8 percent); professional and business services (-10,300 jobs, -1.0 percent); government (-9,300 jobs, -0.8 percent); and other services (-4,300 jobs, -1.4 percent).
• These industry job losses are partially due to weakness in specialty trade contractors; merchant wholesalers; accommodation; fabricated metal product manufacturing; credit intermediation; publishing; accounting, tax preparation and bookkeeping, services; local government; and membership organizations.
• Private education and health services (+23,900 jobs, +2.3 percent) is the only sector gaining jobs among Florida’s major industries.  Most of the increase is due to health care and social assistance (+19,900 jobs, +2.2 percent), primarily in ambulatory health care services.  Private education increased by 4,000 jobs (+2.9 percent) over the year.

Local Area Unemployment Statistics (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

• In February 2010, Liberty County has the state’s lowest unemployment rate (7.5 percent), followed by Monroe County (8.0 percent), Leon County (8.6 percent), and Alachua County (8.8 percent).  Many of the counties with the lowest unemployment rates are those with relatively high proportions of government employment.
• Flagler County (17.0 percent) has the highest unemployment rate in Florida in February 2010, followed by Hernando (15.6 percent); Marion County (15.4 percent); Hardee and St. Lucie counties (14.9 percent); and Citrus County (14.5 percent).  The counties with the highest unemployment rates in the state experienced continued weakness in construction, manufacturing, and financial activities.  There were 55 Florida counties with double-digit unemployment rates in February, down from 58 the previous month.

Area Nonagricultural Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

• All metro areas in the state except one lost jobs over the year in February 2010.  The Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach metro area gained 200 jobs (+0.3 percent) over the year.  Metro areas with the steepest declines include Naples-Marco Island (-5.7 percent, -6,700 jobs); Ocala (-5.6 percent, -5,300 jobs); Sebastian-Vero Beach (-5.4 percent, -2,500 jobs); and Cape Coral-Ft. Myers (-4.8 percent, -9,900 jobs).

Related posts:

1. Florida’s March Employment Figures Released
2. Unemployment increases statewide; Florida has less jobs
3. Florida’s unemployment down again; 4200 Gulf jobs available
4. Unemployment rate in Florida still creeping up
5. Florida unemployment rate goes down slightly

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