The Jacksonville metro area recorded the lowest unemployment in the state in November, nearly reclaiming all of the ground lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unemployment stood at 3.3%, matching the rate in the Sarasota-Bradenton area and bettering the 4.5% rate statewide.
The Villages had the highest unemployment among Florida's 22 metro areas at 5%.
The state's rate is seasonally adjusted; the local rates are not.
Among counties, Duval County’s unemployment rate fell to 3.6% in November, Nassau County 2.9%, Clay County 3% and Baker County 3.2%. St. Johns County has the second-lowest unemployment among Florida counties at 2.6%, behind only Monroe County’s 2.2%.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said the state lost 1.27 million jobs from February to April 2020 but has gained back 91% of them. All 10 major industries have gained jobs over the year, led by 134,800 jobs in leisure and hospitality, a 13.5% increase.
Gov. Ron DeSantis heralded the improvement during an appearance Friday at Ocala Regional Medical Center.
“We're holding down the fort here in Florida,” DeSantis said Friday during an appearance at Ocala Regional Medical Center. “We are going to continue to lead, and we're very proud of what we've been able to do.”
