Miami-Dade’s unemployment was 2.8% in July, up sharply from 2.4% in June, the Florida Department of Commerce reported.
The state’s lowest unemployment in July among metropolitan statistical areas remained in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area at 3.4%, up from 3.2% in June.
Florida’s unemployment held at 3.7%, with a state economist saying demand remains high for workers.
“The number of job openings is up from the same point in the year before,” said Jimmy Heckman, chief of workforce statistics and economic research at the Florida Department of Commerce. “So, we are really seeing strong demand for labor, which will give opportunities to unemployed Floridians.”
Until July, Miami-Dade unemployment had been declining, down from 2.8% in March to 2.7% in April and May and then 2.4% in June. In July 2024 the county’s unemployment was also 2.8%.
Unemployment statewide was also 3.7% in April, May and June. The News Service of Florida reported 417,000 people qualified as unemployed in July, up 2,000 from June. The labor force grew by 3,000 to 11.196 million.
Florida’s jobless rate in July 2024 was 3.4%. The number of unemployed rose 35,000 from July 2024 to last month, while the labor force grew 25,000.
The private sector gained 5,700 jobs in July after dropping 21,000 in June. Mr. Heckman said while “that’s something that we’re watching,” no industries have had sharp declines.
“We’ve seen job growth decline one month and bounce back somewhat in the next month,” he said. “So, we are going to continue to watch that, as we go forward.”
Unemployment nationally in July was 4.2%, up from June’s 4.1%.
Statewide, financial activities – which includes finance, insurance and real estate – added 5,200 jobs in July. Leisure and hospitality gained 1,600 jobs. But employment in construction statewide dipped by 1,000 jobs, after declining by 1,600 in June.
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