Community Corner
Melrose Unemployment Rate Drops in March to Lowest Level In a Year
Melrose's unemployment rate fell to 6.0 percent in March; over the previous year, the city's unemployment rate averaged 6.7 percent.
In March, the unemployment rate in Melrose reached its lowest level in the past 13 months, as the state's total unemployment rate fell in April to 7.8 percent, according to the latest figures released last Thursday.
The state Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that the total unemployment rate in April was 7.8 percent, down 0.2 of a percentage point from the 8.0 percent March rate. The national unemployment rate in April was 9.0 percent.
The preliminary April job estimates show 3,228,000 jobs in Massachusetts, an increase of 19,500 jobs. The private sector added 20,500 jobs.
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The latest unemployment figures on the municipal level available are from March, and they show that Melrose's unemployment rate fell that month to 6.0 percent, from 6.6 percent in February. That's the lowest rate in the past 13 months.
Up until March, the lowest recorded unemployment rate in Melrose during the past 13 months was 6.5 percent. From March 2010 through February 2011, the average Melrose unemployment rate was 6.725 percent, and it peaked at 7.0 percent last August and again in November.
Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Statewide, the April job gain follows a revised 1,300 jobs loss in March, which had previously reported as a 3,200 job gain. Over-the-year, jobs are up 40,800 (an increase of 1.3 percent) with private sector jobs up 47,200 ( and increase of 1.7 percent). Since January 2011, 34,200 jobs have been added in Massachusetts.
In a press release, Gov. Deval Patrick said that the latest statistics serve as "hopeful news" that Massachusetts is continuing a "robust" recovery.
"We have added jobs across nearly all sectors, and our unemployment rate has fallen more that a full point below the national average—signs that our record investments in infrastructure, education, and innovation are paying off," Patrick said in the release. "We also recognize that our work is not done, and that there those out there still seeking a better way. For them, we continue to fight every day to ensure that everyone seeking a job can find one.”
Below are the most recent Melrose statistics available from the state.
Melrose Labor Force and Unemployment Data
Month Year Labor Force Employed Unemployed Melrose Rate Massachusetts Rate March 2011 15,135 14,227 908 6.0 8.2 February 2011 15,101 14,111 990 6.6 8.6 January 2011 15,140 14,115 1,025 6.8 8.9 December 2010 15,217 14,230 987 6.5 8.0 November 2010 15,326 14,260 1,066 7.0 8.1 October 2010 15,208 14,201 1,007 6.6 7.8 September 2010 15,137 14,081 1,056 7.0 8.3 August 2010 15,273 14,275 998 6.5 8.2 July 2010 15,254 14,219 1,035 6.8 8.5 June 2010 15,279 14,223 1,056 6.9 8.5 May 2010 15,076 14,096 980 6.5 8.3 April 2010 15,194 14,142 1,052 6.9 8.4 March 2010 15,063 14,063 1,000 6.6 9.1
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