Florida’s Unemployment Rate Falls, Remains Below National Rate

Florida’s Unemployment Rate Falls, Remains Below National Rate

Florida’s unemployment rate fell to 5.0 percent in August, down 0.1 percent from the July reported rate of 5.1 percent.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity  (DEO) announced Florida has experienced 16 consecutive months of job growth, gaining 19,400 private sector jobs over the month. In total, Florida has gained 990,400 jobs since April 2020.

“Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Florida’s unemployment rate is decreasing,” said Secretary Dane Eagle of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “This positive sign shows that Floridians are returning to work and Florida’s economy continues to provide opportunities for meaningful employment. I look forward to working with Floridians to continue these economic successes.”

Florida’s labor force increased by 65,000 over the month. Over the last 5 months, Florida’s labor force has grown by 373,000. The DEO press release stated that the labor force growth is due to the “success of the state’s ‘Return to Work’ initiative as more Floridians are returning to work.”

Private sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-month were Financial Activities with 8,900 new jobs, Professional and Business Services with 7,900 new jobs, Education and Health Services with 6,100 new jobs and Information with 2,600 new jobs.

For 13 consecutive months, the state of Florida’s unemployment rate has remained below the national rate, which is currently at 5.2%.

The lowest unemployment rate in Florida was reported in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin metropolitan area at 3.8 percent, down from 4.0 percent in July. Last year, when Florida’s unemployment rate started to fall after COVID-19 mitigation efforts were relaxed, the area’s rate was at 4.8 percent and the state’s unemployment rate was at 7.9 percent.

The state’s highest unemployment rate was in the Sebring area – located in south central Florida – at 6.5 percent. The Villages is at 6.4 percent, while Homosassa Springs is at 6.3 percent.

The unemployment rate in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area is at 5.6 percent and in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area was reported as 4.5 percent.

The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan area – dominated by tourism – has a 5.0 percent unemployment rate. A year ago, the central Florida region topped the state with a 10.7 percent jobless rate.

Along the I-10 corridor, the Pensacola area is at 4.5 percent and the Jacksonville area is at 4.3 percent.

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Steve Stewart is the Managing Editor and a contributor at The Florida Capital Star. Email tips to sstewart@floridacapitalstar.com.

Republished with permission from the Florida Capital Star.

14 Responses to "Florida’s Unemployment Rate Falls, Remains Below National Rate"

  1. Reason why it felt? The expired so no one can actually make any more claims. I went on yesterday and my account was inactive with no balance. It’s not that people are finding jobs it’s that the governor stripped everyone from the unemployment benefits. So pleas do you homework first before publishing things that are not accurate.

  2. @ Snidely… I particularly liked the part where the Mayor confirmed his belief that he is above the law. He apparently feels that although something is signed “INTO LAW”, that so long as someone challenges that law in the court, no one has to follow that law until that court case is settled… hmmmmm

    So… heads-up to all you rapists, thieves, thugs, and murderers… just have someone file a challenge to whatever law you desire to break, and have at it… after all, the Mayor says so.

  3. Listened to the entire interview Edward. Traditionally Preston has thrown softballs to the Mayor and its understandable to treat leftists that way or they will give you the cold shoulder and be too busy next time you want the leftist on your show.
    Not this time. No sir. Not a softball was thrown. Seems the abortion resolution virtue signaling by the Mayor and his Minions caused Preston to have his Popeye moment. Love you more Preston and could not be more proud of you Sir!!!
    My Man!!!
    I dont care if Mayor Flintstone never comes back it was worth every second of the interview.
    Carry on Mr. Scott !!!!!!!!

  4. On another note… anyone else catch the Mayor with Preston Scott this morning? Scott did put a few straight-forward questions to him. The Mayor was doing the Tallahassee Two-Step so fast I’m surprised he didn’t pull a muscle or sprain an ankle. He literally called himself a “law and order” Mayor, and even claimed that he wasn’t really that familiar with BLM or CRT.

    … wow… just wow

  5. Matney’s probley busy being conflated with his/her hate for our Govorner’s new Surgeon General and his/her fear of speaking out in a hateful manner against a black man. Easy there Matney take all the time you need to get in touch with your feelings.
    Maybe you should just wait and see if Nikki Fried spews out some hate on the black man for your leftist guidance on what to say and think.

  6. Reason Unemployment Florida- Below National Average. DEO Connect WebSite- Majority Of People State Of FL- Unable To Login To DEO Site. Think About That- No One Can Login- Numbers Of Unemployed Fall. The Majority Of Accounts LOCKED. No One Getting Paid and No New Claims- HORRIBLE LEADERSHIP TEAM !!! FAKE NUMBERS !! FAKE PEOPLE !!

  7. Snidely,

    It gets worse… The Durham report uncovered the Hillary Clinton scheme that weaponized numerous government entities under false pretenses to capsize her political opponent. One of the main characters is the current security advisor for Biden which probably explains why we are in such turmoil.

    Afghanistan, the Border crisis, Hunter Biden, high crime rates, inflation, the CCP bio-weapon Covid, MIA vice president Harris…

    The Tallahassee Democrat ignores it all and their main story is some GOP operative and they ignore the Durham Report and everything else..

    Thank goodness for Newsmax and Epoch News.

  8. Good afternoon Tallahassee:
    Here is the most important news you have heard about in several months.
    The liberal press and the Office of the President have achieved a long sought goal today.
    They have turned the corner completely on any Afghanistan reporting. Completely and totally wiped out of the news feed.
    Go check your usual liberal go to sources. Google News nothing. Local paper and TV Stations nothing.
    Some conservative press still trying to make money off Afghanistan but even they are turning there big eyeball to the Florida kid that killed his besty girl, drove the van back to FL, and likely offed himself in some FL swamp.
    Afghanistan so yesterdays news. This is a very significant accomplishment for the left that just smoothly glided under your radar.

  9. I just listened to Steve Stewart carry water for Ben Pingree, Blueprint and FSU football… wow.

    Psst… Stevo’, going after Jeremy Matlow for calling a spade a spade is not a good look for you, buckaroo.

  10. Here in Tallahassee we have the spectrum of the best and the worst… The best governor in America and the worst mayor in America… Look at the pandering at the intersections and the Boulos Corporation development on Apalachee Parkway and that’s all you need to know about the local lack of leadership on the local level and a Democratic Party run city.

  11. Best d@mn Governor in the USA!
    Sleepy Joe hates our Beloved Governor’s progress in fighting Covid, fighting unemployment, and because our Governor is going to be the next President of the USA.
    Sleepy Joe’s puppet master Barack Hussain Obama wants everyone hateing each other, locked down, and depressed for the midterms and the next presidential election because thats the only way the left can possibly win.

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