Media Contact: Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC
Communications Director
Direct: 352.291.9559 Mobile: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
OCALA, Fla. (August 20, 2021) –The unemployment rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region decreased by 0.7 percent in July to 5.7 percent – an indication that many people have found work as the summer months go on.
Across the three-county region, the labor force was 213,701, up 14,141 over the year for an annual growth rate of 6.6 percent. The number of those with jobs rose by 1,468 over the month to 201,505 and grew by 22,528 compared to July 2020. The number of unemployed decreased by 1,480 since June to 12,196, which is a decrease of 8,387 than the number out of work a year ago.
According to today’s release of preliminary employment numbers by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Levy County continues to hold the lowest jobless rate in the region at 5.2 percent, down 0.6 percent over the month; Marion County followed with a rate of 5.5 percent, a decrease of 0.7 percentage point; and Citrus County’s rate was 6.5 percent, down 0.7 percentage point.
Florida’s not seasonally adjusted jobless rate – a measure that matches the way local rates are calculated – was 5.1 percent, a decrease of 0.6 percentage point over the month and 6.8 percent lower than July 2020.
The nonagricultural employment in the Ocala metropolitan statistical area, which covers all of Marion County, was 107,800 in July, an increase of 5,300 jobs over the year for a 5.2 percent annual growth rate.
The Ocala MSA had the fastest annual job growth rate compared to all the metro areas in the state in manufacturing at 8.5 percent and government at 5.6 percent.
In the Homosassa Springs MSA, which includes all of Citrus County, there were 31,900 nonfarm jobs, an increase of 1,300 jobs over the year for an annual growth rate of 4.2 percent
Rusty Skinner, CEO of CareerSource CLM, said “Even though our jobless rate is improved over the last month, we are continuing our work to provide connections with those unemployed with hiring businesses. For example, in Citrus County, we will be holding a Job Fair on September 22 that covers all industries in the region.”
Here is a breakdown of the July’s jobs numbers for each county:
Citrus County’s labor force in July contracted by 741 to 48,702, the number of employed fell by 375 to 45,517, and the number of unemployed fell by 366 to 3,185. Compared to June 2020 when the unemployment rate was 11.7 percent, the labor force grew by 2,773, there were 4,942 more employed and 2,169 fewer unemployed.
Levy County’s labor force grew by 37 over the month to 17,609, the number of those with jobs increased by 141 to 16,696, and the number of jobless decreased by 104 to 913. Over the year, when the jobless rate was 8.4 percent, those numbers represent 1,451 more in the labor force, an increase of 1,895 with jobs, and a decrease of 444 unemployed.
Marion County’s labor force expanded by 692 to 147,390, the number of those with jobs increased by 1,702 to 139,292, and the number of unemployed dropped by 1,010 to 8,098. Compared to the same time last year, when the jobless rate was 10.1 percent, the labor force grew by 9,917, the number of employed increased by 15,691 and the number of unemployed dropped by 5,774.
Industries gaining jobs over the month were trade, transportation, and utilities (+100 jobs); leisure and hospitality (+200 jobs); manufacturing (+100 jobs); education and health services (+100 jobs); government (+100 jobs); and other services (+100 jobs).
The professional and business, mining, logging, and construction, information and financial activities industries were unchanged over the month, while no industry sectors reported job losses.
The region’s preliminary employment summary for August will be released on Friday, September 17.
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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 $7.9 million (revised annually). 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, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.