OCALA, FL (352today.com) — The unemployment rate in the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion (CLM) region rose slightly in February to 4.9%, up 0.1 percentage point from January and 0.7 percentage point higher than the same time last year.

According to preliminary data from FloridaCommerce:

  • The region’s labor force was 233,004, down 858 from January but up 3,290 year-over-year.
  • Employed residents totaled 221,640, a decrease of 907 over the month, but up 1,536 from February 2024.
  • Unemployed residents totaled 11,364, nearly unchanged month-to-month (+49), but up 1,754 from last year.

County-Specific Highlights:

  • Levy County
    • Jobless rate: 4.4%, unchanged since January.
    • Labor force: 19,322 (+128 over the month).
    • Employed: 18,472 (+121), Unemployed: 850 (+7).
  • Marion County
    • Jobless rate: 4.7% (+0.1 percentage point from January).
    • Labor force: 159,834 (down 778).
    • Employed: 152,400 (down 858), Unemployed: 7,434 (+80).
  • Citrus County
    • Jobless rate: 5.7%, down 0.1 percentage point from January.
    • Labor force: 53,848 (down 208).
    • Employed: 50,768, Unemployed: 3,080.

Statewide Comparison:

  • Florida’s unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) held steady at 3.7%.

Metro Area Job Growth:

  • Ocala MSA: 124,600 nonfarm jobs (+2,300 / +1.9%).
  • Homosassa Springs MSA: 36,200 jobs (+400 / +1.1%).
  • Both MSAs tied for fastest Government job growth (+700 and +200 jobs respectively).

Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM CEO, noted, “February’s employment picture for Citrus and Marion counties indicates a continuation of the post-holiday slow-down, while Levy shows a modest growth.”

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