Unemployment Numbers Improving Across Most Of The Local Area

January 25, 2014

The latest job numbers released Friday show the unemployment level sliding downward in most of the  North Escambia area — as Florida’s unemployment rate also dropped to the lowest level in over five years.

Escambia County’s unemployment fell from 6.2 percent in November to 5.9 percent in December.  There were 8,92 people reported unemployed  during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 7.89 percent.

Santa Rosa County unemployment fell from 5.4 to 5.1  percent from  November to December. Santa Rosa County had a total of  3,787 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 7.1 percent.

In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment inched upwards from7.0 percent in November  to 7.1 percent in December. That represented 976  people unemployed in the county during the month.

Florida’s unemployment mark fell to 6.2 percent in December, down from 6.4 percent in November, according to the state Department of Economic Opportunity. Out of a workforce of 9.4 million, there were an estimated 584,000 jobless people in December, 18,000 fewer than in November.

The state also reported that Florida added 14,100 jobs in December, a 0.2 percent increase from November, of which the majority were private sector positions.

“Once again we continue to distance ourselves from the national unemployment rate and create opportunities for Florida families,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a prepared statement.

The national unemployment mark stands at 6.7 percent.

Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.1percent in December, was down from November’s rate of .2 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 6.8 percent.

The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.

Comments

4 Responses to “Unemployment Numbers Improving Across Most Of The Local Area”

  1. David Huie Green on January 29th, 2014 2:06 pm

    People who are not interested in employment are not unemployed, by definition.

    The unemployed are those who are not employed but would like to be, by definition.

    The underemployed are those who are employed at a lower job than they would prefer. (IF you would like to be CEO of IBM but are employed at a lower paying job, YOU TOO are underemployed.)

    David for president
    thus, underemployed

  2. Reality Check on January 27th, 2014 3:00 pm

    So when the unemployment rates were high, it was Obama’s fault. Now they’re lower, and Scott takes credit. Yeah, ok.

  3. Laura on January 25th, 2014 11:20 am

    The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.

    This is where you’ll find the real unemployment numbers locally and nationally. The lowered numbers are nothing but political fodder.

  4. Tony Novello on January 25th, 2014 8:54 am

    The unemployment numbers are only dropping because Congress’ inaction to renew benefits. The fact that governors like Rick Scott of Florida are taking credit for this is absolutely ridiculous. It’s pretty simple math – deny 1.6 million Americans Unemployment Insurance and the rate will drop. I’m embarassed I live in a country where people are so illogical they can’t see this, and those reporting anything but this fact should be ashamed.