GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – The jobless rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion region decreased to 4.4% in March, down by half a percent from the previous month, but it remains 0.4 percentage points higher than the rate of 4.0% from a year ago.
According to preliminary employment data released today by Florida Commerce, the labor force shrank by 221, resulting in a total of 232,821 over the month.
However, it expanded by 2,126 compared to March 2024.
The number of employed residents across the three-county area was 222,483, an increase of 787 from the previous month and up by 999 from a year ago.
There were 10,338 individuals unemployed in March, which is a decrease of 1,008 over the month but an increase of 1,127 compared to March 2024.
“In a job market of low overall unemployment, we are experiencing an increased number of employed residents, “ said Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM’s CEO. “This has resulted in a drop in our unemployment. That said, we still have more than 10,000 residents out of work across our region. Our CareerSource CLM team is ready to help those looking for work and training for new careers. I encourage them to visit one of our offices and, if they are unable to find the career of their choice, ask to meet with one of our team who can help them gain skills they need to pursue that career.”
In March, Levy County maintained the lowest jobless rate in the region at 4.1%, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from the previous month and 0.4 percentage points higher than the rate from a year ago.
Marion County followed with a jobless rate of 4.3%, also down by 0.3 percentage points compared to February but up by half a percentage point from last year.
Citrus County reported a rate of 5.1%, down by 0.6 percentage points from February but up by 0.6 percentage points from a year ago.
Florida’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, which aligns with how local rates are calculated, was 3.5%, reflecting a decrease of 0.5 percentage points over the month and an increase of 0.4 percentage points compared to March 2024.
Officials said Citrus County’s labor force was virtually unchanged at 53,884 over the month and year, with a growth of 25 and 92, respectively.
The county had 51,147 workers, an increase of 363 from the previous month but a decrease of 210 compared to March 2024.
There were 2,737 unemployed individuals, which is 338 fewer than in February but an increase of 302 over the year.
Levy County’s labor force totaled 19,323, down by just 7 compared to the previous month but up by 498 from last March.
There were 18,534 employed residents, 53 more than in February and 412 more than last year.
The county had 789 unemployed residents, a decrease of 60 over the month and an increase of 86 compared to the previous year.
Marion County’s labor force stood at 159,614, a decline of 239 compared to the previous month and down by more than 1,536 from March 2024.
There were 152,802 employed individuals, an increase of 371 from the previous month and 797 more compared to the year before.
The county reported 6,812 jobless residents, which is down by 610 over the month but up by 739 compared to last year.
In March, Citrus County fell from the third-highest jobless rate to the fourth-highest among Florida’s 67 counties.
Marion County dropped from 11th to 10th, tying with Dixie, Gadsden, Lafayette, Madison, Polk, and Putnam counties. Levy County improved from 24th to 19th, tying with Alachua, Flagler, Hernando, Indian River, Suwannee, and Washington counties.
Among Florida’s 25 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), Wildwood and The Villages continued to have the highest unemployment rate at 5.8%.
The Homosassa Springs MSA, which includes all of Citrus County, maintained the second-highest jobless rate.
The Ocala MSA, covering all of Marion County, improved from the fifth-highest to the fourth-highest, tying with the Lakeland-Winter Haven MSA.
Nonfarm employment in the Ocala MSA increased to 124,500, reflecting an annual gain of 1,900 jobs (+1.5%).
The Ocala MSA achieved the third-fastest annual job growth rate among all metro areas in the state in the Government industry, adding 600 jobs and having a growth rate of 3.7%.
Other industries in the metro area that experienced faster growth compared to the statewide average included: Mining, Logging, and Construction (adding 300 jobs for a growth rate of 3.0%); Financial Activities (adding 100 jobs for a +2.3% growth rate); Leisure and Hospitality (adding 200 jobs for a +1.3% growth rate); and Professional and Business Services (adding 100 jobs for a +0.9% growth rate).
Additionally, the Education and Health Services sector added 600 jobs, resulting in a growth rate of 2.9%, while the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sector added 100 jobs for a growth rate of 0.3%.
The Manufacturing and Other Services industries remained unchanged over the year, while the Information industry lost 100 jobs.
In the Homosassa Springs MSA, non-agricultural employment totaled 36,400, an increase of 200 jobs (+0.6%) over the year.
The Government industry in this metro area grew faster than the statewide average, adding 100 jobs for an annual growth rate of 2.9%.
The preliminary employment summary for the region for April will be released on Friday, May 16.
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