Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC, FCWP
Director of Communications
O: 352.291.9559 | M: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCALA, Fla. (March 28, 2025) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region ticked up slightly to 4.9% in February, 0.1 percentage point more than January’s rate and 0.7 percentage point higher than the region’s year ago rate of 4.2%.
According to preliminary employment data released today by FloridaCommerce, the labor force was 233,004, contracting by 858 over the month but representing an expansion of 3,290 compared to February 2024. There were 221,640 employed residents across the three-county area, a drop of 907 compared to the previous month and an increase of 1,536 over the year. Over the month, the number of unemployed at 11,364 remained virtually unchanged across the region, increasing by 49, and rose by 1,754 compared to the previous February.
During February 2025, Levy County continued to post the region’s lowest jobless rates at 4.4%, unchanged over the month and up 0.7 percent point compared to the previous February. Marion County’s rate was 4.7%, up 0.1 percentage point compared to the previous month and an increase of 0.7 percentage point over the year. Citrus County’s rate of 5.7% was 0.1 percentage point lower than in January and nearly a percent higher than the year ago rate of 4.8%.
Florida’s not seasonally adjusted rate, which matches how local rates are determined, was 3.7%, unchanged over the month and 0.6 percentage point higher than in February 2024.
Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM’s CEO, said that February’s “employment picture for Citrus and Marion counties indicates a continuation of the post-holiday slow-down, while Levy shows a modest growth.
The report continues to show new year adjustments with slight shrinking in labor force and employment for Citrus and Marion, yet a bump in both for Levy.”
Citrus County’s labor force of 53,848 contracted by 208 over the month and expanded by 537 over the year. The county had 50,768 workers, a drop of 170 compared to the previous month and 38 more compared to February 2024. There were 3,080 unemployed, 38 fewer than in January and an increase of 499 more over the year.
Levy County’s labor force was 19,322, an increase of 128 over the month and 266 more compared to the previous February. There were 18,472 employed, 121 more than in January and an increase of 112 over the year. The county had 850 unemployed residents, an increase of 7 over the month and 154 more compared to the previous February.
Marion County’s labor force was 159,834, a drop of 778 over the month and more 2,487 compared to February 2024. There were 152,400 employed, a decrease of 858 compared to the previous month and an increase of 1,386 over the year. The county had 7,434 jobless residents, up 80 over the month and 1,101 more than February a year ago.
In February, Citrus County continued to hold the third highest jobless rate among Florida’s 67 counties. Marion County tied with Dixie County with the 11th highest rate. Levy County dropped a notch to at 24th, tying with Columbia and Suwanee counties.
Among Florida’s 25 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), Wildwood and The Villages had the highest unemployment rate at 6.8%; Homosassa Springs MSA, which encompasses all of Citrus County, held the second highest rate; and the Ocala MSA, which covers all of Marion County, ranked fifth.
Nonfarm employment in the Ocala MSA was 124,600, an increase of 2,300 jobs (+1.9%) over the year.
The Ocala MSA was tied with the Homosassa Springs MSA for the fastest annual job growth rate compared to all other metro areas in the state in the Government industry, adding 700 jobs over the year for a growth rate of 4.3%.
Other industries that grew faster in the metro area than statewide over the year were: Mining, Logging, and Construction (400 jobs and growth rate of +4.0%); Education and Health Services (adding 600 jobs at a growth rate of 2.9%); Leisure and Hospitality (400 jobs and +2.7% growth rate); Financial Activities (100 jobs and +2.3%); and Professional and Business Services (100 jobs and +0.9%).
Over the year, the Other Services industry also gained jobs adding 100 jobs (+2.4% growth rate) while the Information industry lost 100 jobs (-12.5%). Industries unchanged over the year were Manufacturing as well as Trade, Transportation, and Utilities.
Nonagricultural employment in the Homosassa Springs MSA was 36,200, an increase of 400 jobs (+1.1%) over the year. The Government industry grew faster in the metro area that statewide over the year, tying with the Ocala MSA for fastest job growth in Government, gained 200 jobs.
The region’s preliminary employment summary for March will be released on Friday, April 18.
For more details about February’s job numbers, access the FloridaCommerce employment information for the CSCLM area here: February 2025 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 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.
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