Southeast Colorado Employment Situation – June 2012

Nonfarm payroll jobs decreased 6,900 from May to June for a total of 2,284,400 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs declined 5,200 and government decreased 1,700. 

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate increased one-tenth of one percentage point over the month to 8.2 percent. The increase in the unemployment rate was caused by an increase in the number of people actively participating in the labor force without a corresponding increase in the number of people reporting their status as employed.  The national unemployment rate remained unchanged over the same period at 8.2 percent. 

The largest over the month private sector job gains were in information. The largest declines were in manufacturing, construction, and education and health services. 

Over the year, the unemployment rate is down two-tenths of one percentage point from 8.4 percent in June 2011. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 23,900, total employment increased 26,100 and the number of unemployed decreased 2,200. The national unemployment rate declined from 9.1 percent in June 2011 to 8.2 percent in June 2012. 

The following S.E. Colorado percentages are not for a seasonally adjusted labor force: 

                        June 2012   Unemployed      May 2012     June 2011 

Baca                  3.2                   98                     3.4                    4.1
Bent                  6.8                 202                     7.0                    7.7
Kiowa               3.1                   40                      3.1                    3.8
Kit Carson        4.3                 232                      4.6                   4.8
Las Animas     11.6                 909                    10.3                  10.2
Crowley            9.8                 184                       9.8                   9.3
Otero                9.2                 908                       9.1                   9.8
Prowers            6.1                 483                       5.6 (428)         6.2 

Prowers County lost approximately 55 jobs between May and June, 2012.  Costilla and Lake Counties showed the highest unemployment percentages for June 2012 at 13.2 and 12.3 respectively.