Florida’s economy added 4,500 jobs in July, but its unemployment rate is trending above the national average despite a small dip, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Workforce Statistics.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.6% in July, down by 0.1%. It means that Florida’s unemployment rate remains 0.7% higher than it was a year ago. It’s also above the national seasonally adjusted average unemployment rate of 4.1%.
Florida enjoyed an unemployment rate that remained below the national average for over five years since 2020 but started trending up this year.
However, the state has made gains in employment, adding 4,500 nonagricultural jobs in July and an overall bump of 41,000 jobs over the year, according to the report.
Out of Florida’s labor force of 11,121,000, a total of 515,000 did not have jobs in July.
Several industries lost thousands of jobs over the year while others enjoyed growth. Financial activities lost 13,600 jobs, government lost 13,100 jobs, information dropped by 3,100 jobs, and jobs categorized by “other services” decreased by 2,600 jobs, the report found.
The areas that lost the most jobs over the year in July were Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin that lost a total of 800 jobs. The Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Sunrise area lost 400 jobs.
Meanwhile, education and health services added 35,800 jobs over the year, professional and business services grew by 13,600 jobs, leisure and hospitality gained 13,200 jobs, manufacturing grew by 4,200 jobs, trade, transportation and utilities added 3,800 jobs, and construction grew by 2,700 jobs, according to the report.
The metro areas with the largest over the year job gains were Orlando, Kissimmee, and Sanford, which added 16,500 jobs. The second largest job growth was seen in Miami, Miami Beach, and Kendall which added 10,800 jobs. Tampa added 6,600 jobs. Lakeland and Winter Haven grew by 5,000 jobs and the North Port, Bradenton and Sarasota areas added 4,400 jobs, the report found.
Miami-Dade County had the lowest unemployment rate in Florida during July at 2.5%. Monroe County had the second lowest at 3.3% and Wakulla County was third at 4.2%.
The highest unemployment rate in the state was in Taylor County at 8.4%. Sumter County had the second highest at 7.9% followed by Union County at 6.9%.
The unemployment and job growth statistics were compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics along with the Florida Department of Commerce.