Broward leads in S. Florida job gains

While unemployment continued to decline in April, job creation was a mixed bag in South Florida, according to data released by the state on Friday.

Broward County’s jobless rate fell to 3.2 percent compared with 3.7 percent in April 2017, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Meanwhile, the county added 12,800 jobs, an increase of 1.5 percent over the year. That was the most jobs added in the tricounty region.

Construction led job growth in Broward, with the addition of 3,400 jobs, followed by 3,100 jobs in professional and business services; 2,100 in other services; 1,000 in trade, transportation and utilities; 800 in manufacturing; 800 in leisure and hospitality; 400 in government; 100 in information; and 100 in education and health services.

Broward didn’t April 2017.

Palm Beach County’s unemployment in April declined to 3.3 percent from 3.8 percent a year ago. The county added 500 jobs, an increase of only 0.1 percent. There were 2,800 new jobs in construction; 1,800 in financial activities; 1,700 in leisure and hospitality; 700 in manufacturing and 600 in government.

However, Palm Beach County also lost jobs over the year: 3,600 in education and health services; 1,800 in trade, transportation and utilities; 900 in professional and business services; 500 in information; and 300 in other services.

Miami-Dade County’s jobless rate was 4.2 percent compared with 4.6 percent in April 2017. The county added 12,300 jobs, an increase of 1 percent over the year.

The county added 6,200 jobs in manufacturing; 5,800 in construction and mining; 3,800 in education and health services; 1,000 in professional and business services; and 700 in trade, transportation and utilities.

Miami-Dade also lost jobs over the year: 2,000 in financial activities; 1,500 in government; 1,000 in other services; 500 in information; and 300 in leisure and hospitality.

Florida’s unemployment rate was 3.9 percent seasonally adjusted, unchanged from March but a decline from 4.3 percent a year ago.

The state added 178,400 jobs, an increase of 2.1 percent over April 2017. lose any jobs in