FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2000
Mayor Announces Plunge in Unemployment Rate to 4.9 Percent in April
Lowest April Rate in 13 Years, Lowest Overall Rate in 10 ½ years
(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams today announced the unemployment rate has tumbled from 5.6 percent in March to 4.9 percent as of April. This was the lowest April rate in the District of Columbia in 13 years and the lowest rate overall in 10 ½ years. Since the beginning of the year, the unemployment level has fallen by 1.1 percent. The April unemployment rate in the District declined, even as the U.S. Labor Department reported an overall increase nationwide. April marked the eighteenth consecutive month that the District recorded a year-to-year decline in the jobless rate.
"I'm pleased to see our thriving economy providing more employment opportunities for District residents. Our investments in economic development, job training, growing our workforce are paying off," said Mayor Williams. "This means stronger neighborhoods and a brighter future."
At the same time, the Suburban rate declined by 0.1 percentage point to 1.7 percent, while the Washington Area rate declined by 0.2 percentage point to 2.0 percent. The unadjusted rate for all American workers followed the norm, falling from 4.3 percent in March to 3.7 percent in April.
District of Columbia Civilian Labor Force, Employment, Unemployment and Unemployment Rate
The labor market followed the historical pattern for April in the District of Columbia. The employment level and the civilian labor force increased, while the unemployment level and the rate decreased. The employment level rose by 2,400 to 265,600, while the unemployment level fell by 2,100 to 13,700. This was the lowest April unemployment level on record and the lowest level overall since December 1988. The employment and unemployment levels interacted, forcing a 400-worker increase in the civilian labor force, as it rose from 278,900 to 279,300. These developments impacted the unemployment rate, as it fell a significant 0.7 percentage point, from 5.6 percent in March to 4.9 percent in April.
Over the year, the labor market improved significantly for District of Columbia residents. A total of 3,700 workers were added to employer payrolls and another 2,900 withdrew from the jobless pool. As a result, the civilian labor force grew by 800 workers.
Industry Payroll Employment in the District of Columbia
After creating approximately 1,400 jobs in March, the District's economy lost 700 jobs in April, reducing the base to 617,800. The loss was seasonal and confined to the service-producing segments of the private sector. The services industry lost 1,300 jobs between March and April, principally in hotels, educational services, engineering and management services, legal services, health services and membership organizations. Finance, insurance and real estate lost 200 jobs, all in real estate; while transportation, communications and public utilities lost 100 jobs, all in communications and utilities. On the positive side, the trade industry expanded by 700 jobs, all in retail and the construction industry added another seasonal 200 jobs. There was no change recorded in the manufacturing job base. Government was relatively flat during the past three months, with no branch recording March-to-April job changes.
Page 1 of 3
1
2
3
