Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC, FCWP
Director of Communications
O: 352.291.9559 | M: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
May jobless rate holds as region begins to feel seasonal summer slump
OCALA, Fla. (June 20, 2025) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region in May remained unchanged over the month at 4.5% but ticked up 0.5 point more than the region’s year ago rate of 4.0%.
According to preliminary employment data released today by FloridaCommerce, the labor force was 232,485, a decrease of 738 compared to the previous month and an expansion of 1,577 over the year. There were 221,993 employed residents across the three-county area, a drop of 832 over the month and an increase of 263 compared to May 2024. There were 10,492 unemployed in the region, 104 more than in April and up 1,314 over the year.
Dale French, CareerSource CLM’s executive vice president, said that the jobs report, released on the first day of summer, “reflects seasonal changes we typically see at this time of year.”
Those changes include shrinkage of the labor force as well as a dip in the number of those working as school personnel leave for the summer.
“There is a bit of a lull in our numbers caused by those temporarily stepping away from the labor force in late spring and early summer before we see the impact of college students, for example, returning to the region seeking part-time or even full-time employment.”
French encouraged any job seeker interested in summer or permanent employment to take advantage of CareerSource CLM’s fee-free services.
“In addition to help with resumes, interview skills and job referrals, we host a number of hiring events and job fairs,” he said, adding that the Citrus County Job Fair which took place last week in Lecanto was a great success and that there will be a Summer Job Fair on July 24 at the Howard Academy Community Center in Ocala.
In May, Levy County continued to post the region’s lowest jobless rates at 4.1%, up 0.1 percentage point over the month and 0.4 percentage point more than the county’s year ago rate. Marion County followed at 4.3%, the same rate as the previous two months and up half a point compared to May 2024. Citrus County’s rate of 5.2% was 0.1 percentage point higher than in April and 0.6 percentage point higher than the county’s year ago rate.
Florida’s not seasonally adjusted rate, which matches how local rates are determined, was 3.5%, the same as the previous two months and 0.4 percentage point higher than in May 2024.
Citrus County’s labor force of 53,910 dropped over the month by 216 and grew over the year by 307. The county had 51,130 workers, a decrease of 189 compared to the previous month and a drop of 34 compared to May 2024. There were 2,780 unemployed, down 27 since April and an increase of 341 over the year.
Levy County’s labor force was 18,962 down 411 over the month and 196 more compared to the previous May. There were 18,188 employed, 416 fewer than in April and an increase of 121 over the year. The county had 774 unemployed residents, an increase of 5 over the month and 76 more than in May 2024.
Marion County’s labor force was 159,613, a decrease of 101 over the month and increase of 1,074 compared to May 2024. There were 152,675 employed, 227 fewer than the previous month and up 177 over the year. The county had 6,938 jobless residents, an increase of 126 over the month and 897 more than in May last year.
In May, Citrus County continued to post the third highest jobless rate among Florida’s 67 counties. Marion County dropped from 11th to 14th, tying with Polk County. Levy County ranked 21st along with Alachua, Hernando, Okeechobee, Suwannee and Washington counties.
Among Florida’s 25 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), Wildwood and The Villages continued to hold the highest unemployment rate at 6.0%; Homosassa Springs MSA, which encompasses all of Citrus County, maintained the second highest jobless rate; and the Ocala MSA, which covers all of Marion County, continued to hold the fifth highest rate.
Nonfarm employment in the Ocala MSA was 124,900, an increase of 1,400 jobs (+1.1%) 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 800 jobs over the year for a growth rate of 5.0%.
Mining, Logging, and Construction’s growth rate of 1.9%, adding 200 jobs, grew faster in the metro than statewide over the year.
Other industries gaining jobs over the year were Education and Health Services, adding 500 jobs with a growth rate of 2.4%; and Leisure and Hospitality, adding 100 jobs for a growth rate of 0.7 percent.
Financial Activities; Manufacturing; Other Services; Professional and Business Services; and industries were unchanged in jobs over the year.
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industries lost 200 jobs over the year.
Nonagricultural employment in the Homosassa Springs MSA was 36,500, an increase of 400 jobs (+1.1%) over the year. The Government industry grew faster in the metro area than statewide over the year, adding 100 jobs for an annual growth rate of 2.1%.
The region’s preliminary employment summary for June will be released on Friday, July 18.
For more details about the May job numbers, access the FloridaCommerce employment information for the CSCLM area here: May 2025 Employment Data – June 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 $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 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.