Local Area Unemployment Statistics FAQ

Local Area Unemployment Statistics

• What is seasonal adjustment?

  Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique that eliminates the influence of recurring seasonal events such as weather; holidays; and the opening and closing of schools from economic data series. This allows for easier observation and analysis of non-seasonal changes in the data. By eliminating seasonal fluctuations, the data series become smoother and it is easier to compare data from month to month. Removal of seasonal fluctuations facilitates analysis of economic business cycles.

   

• Why are all the detailed demographic data available monthly at the national level not available at the state and local level?

  National data come from the Current Population Survey. Although the survey sample covers all states, the sample sizes are not large enough at the state level to provide reliable monthly data at the same level of detail. Limited demographic detail is published on an annual average basis for states and selected large metropolitan areas (see https://www.bls.gov/lau/notescps.htm. Detailed labor force demographics are also available from the U.S. Census Bureau.

   

• Where can I find LAUS estimates for smaller geographic areas that are not estimated?

  Labor force estimates for small geographic areas are available from the U.S. Census Bureau.

   

• How can I apply for unemployment compensation benefits?

  You can apply for unemployment insurance benefits on line at http://www.floridajobs.org/job-seekers-community-services/reemployment-assistance-center/claimants/file-an-initial-claim
  
  

   

• How are the civilian labor force, employment, unemployment, and unemployment rate defined?

  • Civilian labor force includes persons aged 16 and older who were not institutionalized or on active military duty and were either employed or unemployed.
  • Employment includes those who: did any work as paid employees, worked in their own business or farm, or worked 15 hours or more as unpaid workers in a family business during the reference week (normally the week including the 12th of the month). It also includes those who had a job but did not work due to a temporary absence. Each employed person is counted only once, even if they had more than one job.
  • Unemployment includes those who did not have a job during the reference week, were available for work, and made specific efforts to find a job sometime during the 4 weeks prior to the reference week.
  • Unemployment rate is the percent of the civilian labor force that was unemployed.

• What is the difference between LAUS employment and CES employment?

  There are many definitional differences between the LAUS employment estimates and the CES employment estimates. The main difference is that LAUS is a count of people employed by place of residence while CES is an estimate of the number of jobs by place of work. CES covers only nonagricultural employment while LAUS estimates include total employment across all industries and covers others not included in CES such as the self-employed and domestic workers. Although the two series generally follow the same trends, they cannot be directly compared due to the many definitional and methodological differences between them.

   

• How often are LAUS estimates revised?

  Each monthly data release includes preliminary estimates for the current month and revised estimates for the previous month. At the end of the year, annual revisions are done. Annual revisions normally go back three years but sometimes revisions further back are needed due to methodological or geographic changes. Revisions are mainly based on more complete input data that become available during the course of the year and are intended to improve the accuracy of the estimates.

• How far back are historical LAUS estimates available?

  Statewide estimates are available back to 1976. Sub-state areas are available back to 1990.

   

• Why are LAUS estimates for Florida not available at the same time as the national data are released?

  The timing of data releases depends on the availability of input data needed to produce the estimates. National data come directly from a household survey (the Current Population Survey) and are available first. Data for states and local areas require more input data and processing time and are normally released about 2 weeks after the national data are released.

• Are only those people who are collecting unemployment benefits included in the unemployment estimates?

  No. The estimate of unemployment includes all people who fit the definition and are actively seeking a job. The unemployed include job losers (those who were laid off), job leavers (those who voluntarily left a job), new entrants, and re-entrants into the labor force. Unemployment claimants are a subset of the total unemployed. Those that have exhausted benefits are still considered unemployed if they are seeking employment.