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Florida’s unemployment rate inched up slightly in April | Florida

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-21 09:01:00


Florida’s unemployment rate rose by 0.1% to 3.7% in April, still below the national average of 4.2%. The state’s labor force participation rate fell to 58%, down from 59.9% in October 2019. Florida’s nonfarm employment grew by 21,300 jobs in April, with education and health services adding 48,200 jobs, the largest sector increase. Job gains were seen across all major industries, with the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area leading growth. However, several southwest Florida areas, including Naples-Marco Island and St. Petersburg-Clearwater-Largo, experienced job losses. Monroe County had the lowest unemployment at 2.4%.

(The Center Square) – According to state and federal data, Florida’s unemployment rate inched up by 0.1% in April to 3.7%, still lower than the national average of 4.2%.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the labor force participation rate was at 58%, down from a 10-year high in October 2019 when it was at 59.9%.

The seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate is defined as the percentage of those either working or seeking work.

Florida’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment was slightly more than 10 million in April, an increase of 21,300 jobs compared to March. For the year to date, the state has added 144,100 jobs, an increase of 1.5%.

All 10 major industries had job growth in April, with the education and health services sector growing the most, adding 48,200 jobs for a gain of 3.2%.

The trade, transportation and utilities sector added 26,200 jobs for a gain of 1.3%, while government added 18,400 jobs (1.6% gain). The other services sector grew by 12,600 jobs or 3.3% while construction added 12,400 jobs for a 1.9% gain. 

Monroe County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.4%. Miami-Dade County was 2.7% and Wakulla County 3%.

The highest local unemployment in April was found in Sumter County at 6.3%. Taylor County was 6.1% and Citrus County and Hamilton County each 5.2%.

According to the data, 22 of the state’s 25 metropolitan areas gained jobs so far in the year to date.

The biggest gainer was the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area, which added 28,300 jobs for a gain of 1.9%.

The Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall metro area added 20,900 jobs for a 1.6% gain, while Tampa added 14,500 jobs for an increase of 1.4%. The Miami area has the lowest unemployment rate among the state’s metro areas at 2.7%.

Across Tampa Bay in Pinellas County, the news was grimmer, as the St. Petersburg-Clearwater-Largo area lost 3,000 jobs or a decline of 0.6%. 

The next two metro areas that lost jobs were located in southwest Florida. The Naples-Marco Island metro area lost 2,600 jobs with a decline of 1.4% and the Cape Coral-Fort Myers area lost 200 jobs, a 0.1% downgrade.

The post Florida’s unemployment rate inched up slightly in April | Florida appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article provides a straightforward presentation of economic data related to Florida’s unemployment rate and job growth across various sectors and counties. It focuses on reporting statistics from official sources without using loaded language or editorializing the information. The tone remains factual and neutral throughout, simply outlining the job gains and losses without attributing causes to particular political policies or advocating for a specific ideological viewpoint. This approach demonstrates an adherence to neutral, factual reporting rather than presenting or endorsing an ideological stance.

News from the South - Florida News Feed

Inside 'Alligator Alcatraz': Lawmakers will tour Florida migrant facility amid controversy

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www.youtube.com – ABC Action News – 2025-07-11 05:01:26

SUMMARY: Lawmakers will tour Florida’s new migrant detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” amid allegations of inhumane conditions. Immigration attorneys report detainees lack access to medicine, running water, and due process. Florida and White House officials deny these claims, calling them fake news and asserting the facility meets higher standards than most prisons. After a previous denied access citing safety concerns, a tour for state and federal lawmakers is scheduled with no press or staff allowed. Critics label the visit scripted, planning unannounced future inspections. Republicans applaud the transparency while Democrats push for unrestricted access and documentation to verify conditions.

Florida lawmakers are preparing to tour the state’s new migrant detention and deportation facility this weekend.

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

Thousands gather in Srebrenica on 30th anniversary of Europe’s only acknowledged genocide since WWII

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www.news4jax.com – Eldar Emric, Associated Press – 2025-07-11 03:38:00

SUMMARY: Thousands gathered in Srebrenica to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1995 massacre where over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were killed—Europe’s only genocide since the Holocaust. Seven newly identified victims were buried at the expanding cemetery near Srebrenica. Families often bury only partial remains due to scattered mass graves. The massacre began after Bosnian Serb forces seized the UN safe zone, executing victims and attempting to hide evidence by scattering remains. Despite U.N. court rulings, Bosnian Serbs and Serbia deny the genocide label. Serbia’s president called it a “terrible crime” and urged change for the future.

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The post Thousands gather in Srebrenica on 30th anniversary of Europe’s only acknowledged genocide since WWII appeared first on www.news4jax.com

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

Here’s what you need to know about hurricane supplies

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www.youtube.com – CBS Miami – 2025-07-10 17:25:53

SUMMARY: Hurricane season is underway in South Florida, but many people have delayed buying supplies due to a slow start and waiting for deals. A new hurricane sales tax holiday starts August 1 and will be year-round, offering savings on essential items. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Day features big discounts on batteries, lanterns, emergency radios, and solar generators, often better than the upcoming tax holiday. Walmart also has some deals, while Target has fewer. Experts advise spreading out purchases weekly until the tax holiday to ease costs. With the first major hurricane expected around August 11, it’s wise to prepare now.

NEXT Weather team meteorologist Scott Withers reports on what you need to know about hurricane supplies.

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