Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC, FCWP
Director of Communications
O: 352.291.9559 | M: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
OCALA, Fla. (July 21, 2025) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region in June increased by 0.6 percentage point over the month to 5.1% which was 0.5 percentage point greater than the region’s year ago rate of 4.6%.
According to preliminary employment data released June 18 by FloridaCommerce, the labor force was 233,422, an expansion of 902 since May and up 901 over the year. There were 221,484 employed residents across the three-county area, a drop of 562 over the month and a decrease of 380 compared to June 2024. There were 11,958 unemployed in the region, 1,464 more than in May and up 1,281 over the year.
Dale French, CareerSource CLM’s executive vice president, said the “June gloom” – with unemployment rates ticking up during the summer – is something experienced statewide at this time of year with only Miami-Dade County reporting a drop in its rate.
“I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but we see this every year with education personnel out for the summer, and postsecondary students returning to the area looking for seasonal work,” French said.
“Typically, we return to pre-summer rates by September or October.”
For those interested in finding work now, French said that on Thursday, July 24 there will be a Summer Job Fair from 5-7 p.m. at the Howard Academy Community Center, 306 NW Seventh Ave., Building 3, in Ocala.
The job fair is free and hosted by CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion in collaboration with the Marion County Hospital District and its Community Home Project. It is open to all job seekers whether they live in Citrus, Levy, Marion, or neighboring counties.
In June, Levy County continued to post the region’s lowest jobless rates at 4.6%, up half a percent over the month and year. Marion County followed at 4.9%, an increase of 0.6 percentage point compared to May’s rate and 0.4 percentage point greater than the county’s year ago rate. Citrus County’s rate of 5.8% was also 0.6 percentage point higher than in May and 0.7 percentage point more than the county’s rate in June 2024.
Florida’s not seasonally adjusted rate, which matches how local rates are determined, was 3.9%, up 0.4 percentage point compared to May and increase of 0.3 percentage point over the year.
Citrus County’s labor force of 54,424 expanded over the month by 504 and remained virtually unchanged over the year, growing by just 5. The county had 51,256 workers, an increase of 120 compared to the previous month and a drop of 377 compared to June 2024. There were 3,168 unemployed, up 384 since May and an increase of 371 over the year.
Levy County’s labor force was 18,900 down 74 over the month and 167 more compared to the previous June. There were 18,023 employed, 178 fewer than in May and an increase of 66 over the year. The county had 877 unemployed residents, an increase of 104 over the month and 101 more than in June 2024.
Marion County’s labor force was 160,118, an increase of 472 compared to May and expansion of 739 over the year. There were 152,205 employed, 504 fewer than the previous month and down 69 over the year. The county had 7,913 jobless residents, an increase of 976 over the month and 808 more than in June last year.
In June, for the third consecutive month Citrus County posted the third highest jobless rate among Florida’s 67 counties. Marion County held the 13th highest rate, up a notch compared to May, tying with Gadsen, Indian River, Polk and Putnam counties. Levy County dropped seven spots with the 28th highest rate along with Bradford, Franklin, Okeechobee, and Volusia counties.
Among Florida’s 25 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), Wildwood and The Villages continued to hold the highest unemployment rate (6.9%); Homosassa Springs MSA, which encompasses all of Citrus County, continued to hold the second highest jobless rate; and the Ocala MSA, which covers all of Marion County, held its position with the fifth highest rate, tying with Lakeland-Winter Haven and Sebastian-Vero Beach MSAs.
Nonfarm employment in the Ocala MSA was 123,500, an increase of 2,000 jobs (+1.6%) over the year.
The Ocala MSA continued to hold the fastest annual job growth rate compared to all other metro areas in the state in the Government industry, adding 900 new jobs over the year for a growth rate of 6.2%.
In addition to Government, industries growing as fast or faster in the metro area than statewide over the year were Education and Health Services at 3.8% (+800 new jobs); Other Services at 2.4% (+100 jobs); Mining, Logging, and Construction, at 1.0% (+100 jobs); and Professional and Business Services at 0.9% (+100 jobs).
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities also gained jobs over the year (+100).
Financial Activities; Information and Manufacturing; industries were unchanged over the year, while Leisure and Hospitality lost 100 jobs compared to June 2024.
Nonagricultural employment in the Homosassa Springs MSA was 36,300, an increase of 300 jobs (+0.8%) over the year. The Government industry was unchanged in jobs.
The region’s preliminary employment summary for July will be released on Friday, Aug. 15.
For more details about the June job numbers, access the FloridaCommerce employment information for the CSCLM area here: June 2025 Employment Data – July Release
###
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.
Searching for New Hires?
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 $9.4 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 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.