DC’s Jobless Rate for December 2010 at 9.7%

The DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) reported the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in DC for December was down 0.1 percent from the revised November rate of 9.8%, while the number of jobs decreased by 1,400 in December. The December seasonally adjusted national unemployment rate was 9.4%, down from 0.4 percent from the revised rate in November 2010.

At 276,100, jobs are up 22,100 (3.1 percent) from that time last year. Over the year, the Federal Government, along with Professional and Business Services in the private sector, registered the most job gains, while Trade, Transportation and Utilities, in the private sector, registered a small job loss over the year.

The District’s labor force increased by 800 in December, the number of employed residents increased by 1,100, and a decrease in the number of unemployed residents by 300. At 332,300, the labor force was down 600 from December 2009, with 6,700 more residents employed and 7,300 less residents unemployed.
The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households, while the job estimates are derived from a monthly sample survey of employers. As a result, the two statistics may exhibit different trends.

The January 2011 unemployment rate and survey of jobs data for the District will be released on Thursday, March 10, 2011. Historical jobs and labor force estimates for District of Columbia and detailed labor market information is available at DOES.DC.gov.