• Florida’s July statewide unemployment rate increased marginally to 2.7 percent, up from 2.6 percent in previous months.
• Despite this slight rise, private-sector growth remained robust at 0.5 percent, surpassing the national rate of 0.1 percent, positioning Florida as a leader in job creation.
• Over the year, Florida’s economy added 300,600 jobs, reflecting a growth rate of 3.2 percent, outpacing the national average of 2.2 percent, with positive contributions seen in major sectors including education, health services, manufacturing, and trade.

Florida’s Department of Commerce reported July’s statewide unemployment rate at 2.7 percent on Friday, a marginal increase compared to the months prior, which remained steady at 2.6 percent. Private-sector growth, however, stood strong at 0.5 percent, leading all states and outpacing the national rate of 0.1 percent.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Florida reached 2.7 percent in July, representing a 0.1 percentage point increase from the previous month. This rise, though minimal, stands in contrast to the stability observed in the state’s unemployment rate over the past year. In comparison, the national unemployment rate for the same period was reported at 3.5 percent.

“The unemployment rate of 2.7 percent represented 295,000 jobless individuals out of a labor force of 11.081 million,” said Florida Commerce Deputy Secretary Lindsay Volpe during a presentation. “As Florida maintains a low unemployment rate alongside consistent labor force gains, increases in both and unemployment signal a healthy labor market.”

In tandem with the increase, Florida’s nonagricultural employment demonstrated growth, adding 44,500 jobs in July. Over the course of the past twelve months, Florida’s economy saw the creation of 300,600 jobs, indicating an annual growth rate of 3.2 percent, also surpassing the national average of 2.2 percent over the corresponding period.

According to the Florida Commerce presentation, the total labor force grew 0.4 percent last month and has increased by 280,000 jobs or 2.6 percent over the year.

“Nine of the ten industry supersectors gained jobs over the month,” said Volpe. “Leisure and hospitality was the only industry to lose jobs over the month, declining by 200 jobs.”

Year over year, most of Florida’s major sectors have exhibited positive growth, including education and health services (6.4 percent), manufacturing (3.3 percent), and trade (2.4 percent). The only sector reporting a dip in job numbers was information.

Broken down by metro area, The Villages reported the highest job growth rate in July at 1.8 percent, while Sebring and Tallahassee were second and third, respectively, both with 0.7 percent growth.

For unemployment, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties registered the lowest rates statewide with 1.9 percent. Conversely, Hendry County reported the highest unemployment rate at 6.6 percent.

Gov. Ron DeSantis attributed the job growth to business-friendly policies and investments in workforce education and infrastructure.

“For the last four years, Florida has led the nation with more than 2.5 million new businesses formations and over 1 million Floridians joining the workforce,” said the governor. “Florida’s success is the direct result of freedom first policies that support business owners and job seekers along with record investments in workforce education and infrastructure that spur economic growth.”