August 2013 Employment Update for S.E. Colorado

Colorado Counties

(DENVER) — Nonfarm payroll jobs decreased 4,300 over the month from July to August to 2,369,700 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs decreased 6,800 and government increased 2,500. 

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate decreased one tenth of a percentage point to 7.0 percent. The number of people participating in the labor force decreased 5,300 over the month and the number of people reporting themselves as employed decreased 3,300. The larger decline in the labor force than in total employment caused the number of unemployed to decrease 2,100 and the unemployment rate to decrease to 7.0 percent. The national unemployment rate decreased to 7.3 percent. 

Over the year, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged at 35.0 hours and average hourly earnings increased from $24.44 to $25.51. 

There were no significant over the month private sector job gains in any industry sector. The largest over the month declines were in leisure and hospitality, other services, and financial activities. 

Over the year, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 56,800. Private sector payroll jobs increased 51,800 and government increased 5,000. The largest private sector job gains were in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and construction. The largest over the year decline was in financial activities. 

Over the year, the unemployment rate declined one percentage point from 8.0 percent in August 2012. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 24,800, total employment increased 50,200 and the number of unemployed decreased 25,300. The national unemployment rate declined from 8.1 percent in August 2012 to 7.3 percent in August 2013. 

The unemployment breakdown for southeast Colorado Counties as is follows in percentages:

                        Aug 2013         Unemp           July 2013         Aug 2012         Unemp
Baca                3.7                     80                          3.7                   3.8                   96

Bent                 8.4                   178                          8.5                   8.0                 193

Kiowa              4.0                   34                           4.0                   3.6                   37

Kit Carson       4.0                  178                          4.2                   4.5                 212

Las Animas     10.1                 789                        10.3                 11.5                 925

Crowley           9.1                   148                           9.3                 11.2                 195

Otero               9.4                   824                          9.4                   9.5                873

Prowers          5.8                   373                           6.0                   6.4                441