Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC
Director of Communications
Office: 352.291.9559 | Mobile: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCALA, Fla. (Jan.24, 2025) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 4.0% in December, a drop of 0.7 percentage point over the month and virtually unchanged from the region’s year ago rate of 3.9%.
According to preliminary employment data released today by FloridaCommerce, the labor force was 217,002 which represented an expansion of 154 over the month and contraction of 2,448 since December 2023. There were 208,276 employed residents across the three-county area, an increase of 1,590 compared to November and 2,663 fewer over the year. There were 8,726 unemployed residents in the region, down 1,436 compared to November and 215 more than December 2023.
Dale French, CareerSource CLM’s executive vice president said of the report, “While we continue to see fluctuations across the counties in our region, the figures remain consistent. Seasonal employment fluctuations are to be expected. Overall, we are seeing very slight increases in unemployment, but an overall strong local economy.”
Levy and Marion counties posted the region’s lowest jobless rates at 3.8%, both down 0.6 percentage point over the month and landing the counties with the 10th highest rates in the state. Citrus County’s rate of 4.8% was the highest among Florida’s 67 counties but was 0.7 percentage point lower than November’s rate. Florida’s not seasonally adjusted rate, which matches how local rates are determined, was 3.1%, down half a percent over the month.
Citrus County’s labor force of 48,850 dropped by seven individuals over the month and 801 over the year. The county had 46,495 workers last month, up 349 compared to November and a decrease of 870 compared to December 2023. There were 2,355 unemployed, 356 fewer than the previous month and just 69 more than a year ago.
Levy County’s labor force was 17,528, a dip of just four over the month and increase of 58 compared to December one year ago. There were 16,864 employed, 111 more than the previous month and an increase of 21 compared to December 2023. The county had 664 unemployed residents, which was 115 fewer than in November and an increase of 37 over the year.
Marion County’s labor force was 150,624, up 165 over the month and a contraction of 1,705 compared to December 2023. There were 144,917 employed, an increase of 1,130 compared to the previous month and a decrease of 1,814 over the year. The county had 5,707 unemployed, down 965 over the month and 109 more than a year ago.
In December, nonfarm employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers all of Marion County, was 123,700, an increase of 900 jobs (+0.7%) over the year.
Industries gaining jobs over the year were Mining, Logging, and Construction (+400 jobs); Education and Health Services (+300 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (+300 jobs); Government (+200 jobs); and Other Services (+100 jobs).
The industries losing jobs over the year were Professional and Business Services (-200 jobs); Manufacturing (-100); and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-100 jobs).
The Financial Activities and Information industries were unchanged in jobs over the year.
Nonagricultural jobs in the Homosassa Springs MSA, which covers all Citrus County, was 36,100, an increase of 100 jobs (+0.3%) over the year. The Government industry gained 100 jobs and grew 2.1% which was as fast or faster in the metro area than statewide over the year.
Due to annual benchmarking conducted by FloridaCommerce in February, the region’s preliminary employment summary for January will be released on Monday, March 17 and the report for February will be released on Friday, March 28.
For more details about December’s job numbers, access the FloridaCommerce employment information for the CSCLM area here: December 2024 Employment Data
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Looking for a New Career in the new year? Here’s Help
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion offers in-person job fairs, hiring events, workshops and facilities for job searches, training grants for eligible candidates, career development and one-on-one consulting – all at no charge to those seeking employment. Call 800-434-JOBS (5627) or visit careersourceclm.com to learn more. Career Centers are open for self-service and in-person assistance weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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CareerSource CLM also provides fee-free services to help build and sustain businesses in today’s challenging marketplace. Services include recruitment, assessment, screening, and referrals of qualified job candidates; logistics, coordination, and promotion of customized hiring events; and grants and incentives for training new hires and existing employees. Call 800-746-9950 to learn more.
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is a member of CareerSource Florida and a proud partner of the American Job Center network. CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and other agencies as part of awards totaling $15.4 million (revised annually). Unless otherwise stipulated, all statements, news releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and other applicable documents are fully funded from federal sources.
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities and in Spanish. All voice telephone numbers listed above may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711. If you need accommodations, call 800-434-5627, ext. 7878 or e-mail [email protected]. Please make request at least three business days in advance. Stay connected with CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion on Facebook, Jobs352, YouTube and LinkedIn.