Unemployment rate in Bradenton-Sarasota falls again

The unemployment rate in the Bradenton-Sarasota region fell again in October and remains one of the lowest in the state.

Unemployment in the Bradenton-Sarasota-North Port metropolitan statistical area fell to 3.2 percent last month, down from 3.3 percent in September and 4.7 percent in October 2016.

According to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity figures released Friday, only Gainesville (3 percent) and Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin (2.8) enjoyed lower rates.

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater was similar to Bradenton-Sarasota, at 3.3 percent.

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in October, the lowest since April 2007 and down two-tenths of a percentage point from September and 1.3 percentage points from a year earlier. The U.S. unemployment rate last month was 4.1 percent.

Friday’s report said the state added 125,300 jobs in October, all but offsetting the 127,400 lost in September after Hurricane Irma swept through the state.

It’s likely the number of jobs added will continue to rise this month as employers ramp up hiring heading into the busiest time of tourist season.

“While Hurricane Irma was a devastating storm, we have worked day after day to help communities recover and send a message across the world that Florida is open for business,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a news release.

Added Cissy Proctor, the executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity: “Recovering from Hurricane Irma has been our top priority. We are committed to ensuring Florida’s families and businesses continue to prosper.”

State officials reported 197,500 more jobs compared to a year ago, bringing the employment total to 8,655,100 and marking the 87th consecutive month with year-over-year growth.

Sectors showing the most job growth across Florida in October:

• Professional and business services with 38,900;
• Trade, transportation and utilities with 38,300;
• Construction with 35,600;
• Education and health services with 17,600;
• Leisure and hospitality with 15,500.

Manatee County had 169,590 of a total labor force of 175,254 employed last month for a 3.2 percent jobless rate. In Sarasota County, 183,800 of 189,866 were employed for an identical 3.2 percent unemployment rate.

Okaloosa and St. Johns counties had the state’s lowest rate in October at 2.7 percent. Hendry County had the highest at 7.3 percent, followed by Hardee County at 5.8.

This story was originally published November 17, 2017 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Unemployment rate in Bradenton-Sarasota falls again."