Unemployment continues decline

Broward adds 12K jobs in past year

South Florida’s unemployment rates in January continued their lower trend compared with a year ago, the state announced Monday.

“Job growth in Florida remains above the national average,” said PNC Bank chief economist Gus Faucher. “Overall, the state’s economy is in good shape.”

He said Broward County’s unemployment rate of 3.8 percent indicates a “very, very tight labor market.” Broward’s rate was 4.5 percent in January 2017. The county added 12,300 jobs, an increase of 1.5 percent over the year.

In Broward, construction jobs grew 6.9 percent over the year, which was faster than statewide growth, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Broward added 4,800 jobs over the year in professional and business services; 3,100 in construction; 1,200 in other services; 900 in leisure and hospitality; 600 in trade, transportation and utilities; 600 in education and health services; 500 in government; 300 in financial activities; 200 in manufacturing; and 100 in information.

In Palm Beach County, the rate was 3.9 percent compared with 4.7 percent a year ago. The county added 8,000 jobs, an increase of 1.3 percent over the year.

Palm Beach County added 4,800 jobs over the year in leisure and hospitality; 2,000 in construction; 1,700 in government; 600 in financial activities; 300 in manufacturing; and 300 in other services. Miami-Dade County’s jobless rate was 4.7 percent, down from 4.9 percent a year ago. The county added 9,400 jobs, or 0.8 percent over the year.

Miami-Dade added 5,100 jobs over the year in education and health services; 3,400 in professional and business services; 2,900 in manufacturing; 2,200 in trade, transportation and utilities; and 1,000 in construction.

Miami-Dade lost 2,100 jobs over the year in government; 1,100 in financial activities; 800 in leisure and hospitality; 800 in other services; and 400 in information.

The state gained 150,900 jobs over the year, an increase of 1.8 percent.

Florida’s unemployment rate in January was 3.9 percent, seasonally adjusted, compared with 4.6 percent a year ago. That’s lower than the U.S. rate of 4.1 percent, seasonally adjusted.

County numbers are not seasonally adjusted.