AZ's employment statistics for July have been published by the Department of Labor. For the month, Arizona's unemployment rate ticked up to 8.3%. This is the first monthly increase for the state for the year and breaks the recent pattern of 8.2% from the 3 previous months (Mar-Jun). When compared one month ago there are roughly 2,600 more unemployed people in Arizona. There are also almost 12,000 fewer employed workers and just over 9,000 fewer people in AZ's total civilian workforce. When taken together, these numbers resulted in the small 0.1% increase for the month. Arizona's unemployment rate continues to match the national average rate of 8.3%.
Looking back a year to 2011 we see that Arizona's unemployment rate is still much better than the July 2011 rate of 9.6%. This big improvement in the rate is apparent when look at the detailed employment statistics from the Department of Labor. From these numbers we see that there are about 41,000 fewer unemployed people in Arizona from July 2011 to July 2012. Also, there are about 22,000 more workers employed in Arizona and a decrease of 19,000 in AZ's civilian workforce. Taken together these statistics resulted in the major decrease in the AZ unemployment rate.
Employment statistics are also published for the major industries. When we review these numbers we see that many of AZ's business sectors did see employment gains for the month. Some of these industries included Trade Transportation and Utilities, Information, Construction, Manufacturing, and Financial Activities. A few industries, however, did decrease in July including Professional and Business Services and Government.
Another detail look at AZ's employment review is from employment numbers for AZ's larger cities. Many of the cities in AZ experienced their unemployment rates rise in July. The City of Flagstaff rose from 8.3% in June to to 8.7% in July. Also up was the Lake Havasu City-Kingman Area rising to 9.7% (from 9.6% in June). The major metropolitan area of Phoenix was also up rising 0.1% to 7.5% in July. The lone exception was the City of Prescott's who's rate remained static for July at 8.8%. On the (very) high-side was the City of Yuma. Their unemployment rate went over 30% for the first time in almost a year with a July 2012 rate of 31.2% (one of the highest in the U.S.).
Next we'll review Arizona's unemployment rate to other states in the Southwest. In the region Arizona's July 2012 unemployment rate continues to be in the middle. States with higher rates than AZ are California (10.7%) and Nevada (12.0%). Regional states that have lower rates in July are New Mexico (6.6%) and Utah (6.0%).
Later this Summer we'll look at the August 2012 employment statistics for Arizona. Remember that previously released employment statistics can be adjusted at a later date.
Looking back a year to 2011 we see that Arizona's unemployment rate is still much better than the July 2011 rate of 9.6%. This big improvement in the rate is apparent when look at the detailed employment statistics from the Department of Labor. From these numbers we see that there are about 41,000 fewer unemployed people in Arizona from July 2011 to July 2012. Also, there are about 22,000 more workers employed in Arizona and a decrease of 19,000 in AZ's civilian workforce. Taken together these statistics resulted in the major decrease in the AZ unemployment rate.
Employment statistics are also published for the major industries. When we review these numbers we see that many of AZ's business sectors did see employment gains for the month. Some of these industries included Trade Transportation and Utilities, Information, Construction, Manufacturing, and Financial Activities. A few industries, however, did decrease in July including Professional and Business Services and Government.
Another detail look at AZ's employment review is from employment numbers for AZ's larger cities. Many of the cities in AZ experienced their unemployment rates rise in July. The City of Flagstaff rose from 8.3% in June to to 8.7% in July. Also up was the Lake Havasu City-Kingman Area rising to 9.7% (from 9.6% in June). The major metropolitan area of Phoenix was also up rising 0.1% to 7.5% in July. The lone exception was the City of Prescott's who's rate remained static for July at 8.8%. On the (very) high-side was the City of Yuma. Their unemployment rate went over 30% for the first time in almost a year with a July 2012 rate of 31.2% (one of the highest in the U.S.).
Next we'll review Arizona's unemployment rate to other states in the Southwest. In the region Arizona's July 2012 unemployment rate continues to be in the middle. States with higher rates than AZ are California (10.7%) and Nevada (12.0%). Regional states that have lower rates in July are New Mexico (6.6%) and Utah (6.0%).
Later this Summer we'll look at the August 2012 employment statistics for Arizona. Remember that previously released employment statistics can be adjusted at a later date.
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If you're unemployed in AZ and need information, please visit the Arizona Unemployment Headquarters.