FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2012
CONTACT: DEO Communications, (850) 617-5600, media@deo.myflorida.com
OCALA AND PALM COAST METRO AREAS LEAD IN LARGEST OVER-THE-YEAR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROP
12 of the state’s 22 Metro Areas experienced a 2.0 percentage point drop or greater since September 2011
TALLAHASSEE—Ocala and Palm Coast led all of Florida’s metro areas with the largest over-the-year unemployment rate drop from September 2011 to September 2012, each with a 2.6 percentage point decrease (not seasonally adjusted). Overall, 12 of the state’s 22 metro areas experienced declines in their unemployment rates of 2.0 percentage points or greater during the same time period.
“I’m proud of the progress these regions have made in leading our state to another month of declining unemployment rates and getting their residents back to work,” said Governor Rick Scott. “They are proof of the positive business climate we’ve created and the success we’re having in ensuring that Florida is the No.1 place for employers to move, start or grow their business.”
The Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville metro area was next with a 2.4 percentage point unemployment rate drop, followed by the Northport-Bradenton-Sarasota, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Cape Coral-Ft. Myers, and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro areas with 2.2 percent declines.
| Florida Metro Areas
Largest unemployment rate declines since September 2011
|
| Metro Area | September
2012 | September
2011 | Difference |
| Ocala | 9.8 | 12.4 | -2.6 |
| Palm Coast | 11.9 | 14.5 | -2.6 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 9.1 | 11.5 | -2.4 |
| Northport-Bradenton-Sarasota | 8.9 | 11.1 | -2.2 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | 12.1 | 9.9 | -2.2 |
| Cape Coral-Ft. Myers | 9.1 | 11.3 | -2.2 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 8.7 | 10.9 | -2.2 |
| Punta Gorda | 9.0 | 11.1 | -2.1 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach | 11.3 | 13.4 | -2.1 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 8.4 | 10.5 | -2.1 |
| Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall | 8.4 | 10.4 | -2.0 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 8.8 | 10.8 | -2.0 |
These regions contributed to Florida’s September 2012 unemployment rate declining by 1.7 percentage points since September 2011 (seasonally adjusted). During that time, Florida has created 74,800 private sector jobs.
To view the September 2012 monthly employment data visit:
www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
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