WASHPO: D.C. region's unemployment rate dropped to 6.1 percent in November
By V. Dion Haynes
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 6, 2010; A12
The unemployment level in the Washington region dipped in November to 6.1 percent from 6.2 percent the previous month, according to government data released Tuesday, further evidence to some economists that the area has weathered the worst of the recession.
Washington and New Orleans had the lowest unemployment rates among metropolitan areas with 1 million people or more -- well below the national not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 9.4 percent and the Detroit region's rate of 15.4 percent.
Professional and business services, education and health, and the government added thousands of jobs, blunting the impact of steep losses in construction and retail. The Washington region experienced a net loss of 15,300 jobs during the 12 months ended in November, according to the report, down from the year-to-year net losses of 23,900 jobs in October and 37,000 in September.
"The economy is showing some signs of improvement," said Mohammad Siddiqui, an economist at IHS Global Insight who follows the Washington region. "We might see a small positive number [showing a net gain in jobs] going from quarter four of 2009 to quarter one of 2010."
Still, unemployment varies wildly in the area -- ranging from 4.2 percent in September in Arlington County to 7.3 percent in Prince George's County to 11.7 percent in the District overall, and as high as 29 percent in D.C.'s Ward 8 in October -- and some economic development officials said the region needs to do much more to address the disparity.
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Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 6, 2010; A12
The unemployment level in the Washington region dipped in November to 6.1 percent from 6.2 percent the previous month, according to government data released Tuesday, further evidence to some economists that the area has weathered the worst of the recession.
Washington and New Orleans had the lowest unemployment rates among metropolitan areas with 1 million people or more -- well below the national not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 9.4 percent and the Detroit region's rate of 15.4 percent.
Professional and business services, education and health, and the government added thousands of jobs, blunting the impact of steep losses in construction and retail. The Washington region experienced a net loss of 15,300 jobs during the 12 months ended in November, according to the report, down from the year-to-year net losses of 23,900 jobs in October and 37,000 in September.
"The economy is showing some signs of improvement," said Mohammad Siddiqui, an economist at IHS Global Insight who follows the Washington region. "We might see a small positive number [showing a net gain in jobs] going from quarter four of 2009 to quarter one of 2010."
Still, unemployment varies wildly in the area -- ranging from 4.2 percent in September in Arlington County to 7.3 percent in Prince George's County to 11.7 percent in the District overall, and as high as 29 percent in D.C.'s Ward 8 in October -- and some economic development officials said the region needs to do much more to address the disparity.
Go HERE to continue reading.