The unemployment rate in Palm Beach County was 11.5 percent in December 2009, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous month’s rate of 11.7 percent, but 3.5 percentage points above the County’s rate of one year ago, which was 8.0 percent. Out of a labor force of 626,783 in Palm Beach County, there were 72,033 unemployed residents. The County’s unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the State of Florida’s rate of 11.6 percent in December 2009, but higher than the United States’ rate of 9.7 percent in the month. Industries that gained jobs in the County over the past year were private education and health services (+1,800 jobs); government (+800); professional and business services (+400 jobs); and other personal services (+200 jobs). Job losses during the past year were primarily in construction (-6,500 jobs). Other industries losing jobs included: leisure and hospitality (-4,000 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (-3,400 jobs); manufacturing (-1,600 jobs); financial activities (-700 jobs); and information (-200 jobs).
