Every day the United States government collects data and nobody likes personal information collected, but there is other information collected that we need which is very helpful, such as data used in determining the health of the economy. One of the most important numbers collected by the Department of Labor is how many people are out of work broken down by major city, and the latest data are in.
April's preliminary national unemployment rate in April was 5.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.1 percent a year earlier, and down from March's unemployment rate of 6.3 percent. For seasonally adjusted numbers, the unemployment rate fell from 6.7 percent to 6.3 percent, and the number of unemployed persons, at 9.8 million, decreased by 733,000.
Unemployment rates were lower in April than a year earlier in 95 percent, or 357 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 12 areas, and unchanged in 3 areas, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not all areas enjoyed a reduction in the number of people out of work since 14 areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent while 118 areas, or 31 percent, had rates of less than 5.0 percent.
chart unemployment rate
The unemployment rate is based on the number of unemployed divided by the number in the workforce, so if the number unemployed declines but the number in the workforce declines by a greater percent, then the ratio, or unemployment rate, can actually decline even though there are more people unemployed. One way to derive a realistic conclusion is to examine the actual number employed, and nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 302 metropolitan areas, decreased in 17 percent or 63 areas, and was unchanged in 7 areas.
About 58 percent of the 372 metropolitan areas had unemployment rates better than the US average, and 40 percent had rates worse than average, as shown in the chart below.
chart unemployment rate better or worse than average
Looking closer to home, the major cities in Louisiana show the oil patch is still the best place to find a job. The lowest unemployment rate is found in Houma, Lake Charles and Lafayette.
chart louisiana cities unemployment may 2014
While the number of people employed varies since each major city in Louisiana varies greatly in population, the employment growth rate in each city tells a more realistic story because it can highlight where supply and demand imbalances might exist in resources which can expose opportunities. The charts below shows the trend in each city's employment.
houma
lafayette
lake charles
baton rouge
New Orleans
alexandria
monroe
shreveport
The last 5 years of employment can impact decision making more than any other period, and the difference in employment growth can be categorized by who is getting better or worse:
Growth In Employment: Houma, Lafayette, lake Charles, Baton Rouge
Stagnant In Employment: New Orleans
Declines In Employment: Alexandria, Shreveport
The Regional and State Employment and Unemployment news release for May is scheduled to be released on Friday, June 20, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). The Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment news release for May is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).
