Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC
Director of Communications
O: 352.291.9559 | M: 352.816.1264
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OCALA, Fla. (June 21, 2024) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region was 3.8% in May, down 0.4 percentage point over the month and 0.3 percentage point greater than the region’s year ago rate of 3.5%. The labor force was 217,695, down 1,570 (-0.7%) over the year. There were 8,370 unemployed residents in the region, a drop pf 825 compared to April and up of 652 over the year.
According to preliminary employment data released today by FloridaCommerce, there were 209,325 employed across the region, a drop of 615 since April and 2,222 fewer than the same time last year.
Levy County continued to post the lowest jobless rate in the region at 3.6%, down from 4.0% over the month; followed by Marion County with 3.7%, also down from 4.0%. Citrus County reported a 4.5% unemployment rate, down from 4.9% in April.
Citrus County’s labor force in May was 49,598, down 320 over the month and down 737 over the year. The county had 47,364 employed, a decrease of 127 compared to April and 940 fewer than the same time last year. There were 2,234 unemployed, a drop of 193 over the month and 203 more than in May 2023.
Levy County had a labor force of 17,387 which was a decrease of 173 over the previous month and 134 less than the same time last year. There was 16,764 employed in May, a drop of 102 over the month and down 134 compared to May 2023. There were 623 unemployed, a decrease of 71 compared to April and 83 more over the year.
Marion County’s labor force was 150,710, down 947 over the month and 699 over the year. There were145,197 employed, a decrease of 386 compared to April and down 1,065 compared to the same time last year. The county had 5,513 unemployed in May, 561 fewer than the previous month and 366 more than in May 2023.
Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM’s chief executive officer, noted that labor force and employment numbers were down for all three counties in the region both in May and over the year.
Because the data is not seasonally adjusted, Skinner said it could be school related.
“Historically, we see contraction of the labor force and adjustments to the number of those employed as school support personnel leave for the summer,” he said. “At this time of year, there seems to be a bit of a tug-of-war between those temporarily stepping away from the labor force in late spring and early summer and those seeking seasonal employment, such as college students, or returning to the labor force full time.”
In May, nonfarm employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Area, which covers all of Marion County, was 121,300 in March, an increase of 1,200 jobs over the year for a 1.0% growth rate over the year.
With a 3% growth rate, the Education and Health Services industry grew faster in the metro area than statewide over the year.
Industries gaining jobs were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+700 jobs); Education and Health Services (+600 jobs); Mining, Logging, and Construction (+300 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (+300 jobs); Government (+100 jobs); and Other Services (+100 jobs).
Industries losing jobs were Manufacturing (-400 jobs): Professional and Business Services (-300 jobs); Information (-100 jobs) and Financial Activities (-100 jobs).
The Homosassa Springs Metro Area, which includes all Citrus County, held steady over the year with 35,900 nonagricultural jobs. The Government sector gained 100 jobs over the year.
Skinner said that CareerSource CLM continues to help meet the needs of businesses and candidates by offering a variety of fee-free business and candidate services.
Information about fee-free job fairs, hiring events and other job seeker and employer services are available at careersourceclm.com or by calling 800-434-JOBS (5627).
State and local employment reports for June 2024 are scheduled for release on July 19.
For more details, access FloridaCommerce’s employment information for the region here: May 2024 Employment Jobs Data
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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 $6.9 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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