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December 19, 2016

Latest Maine unemployment figures show little change

Maine Department of Labor
Maine Department of Labor

Maine’s unemployment in November was 4.0%, unchanged from October and down slightly from 4.1% a year ago.

Three New England states reported lower rates, while two others were higher than Maine.

The Maine Department of Labor, in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, reported the number of unemployed was little changed over the year at 27,500.

The U.S. preliminary unemployment rate of 4.6% was down from 4.9%  in October and 5.0%  one year ago.

Maine’s employment-to-population ratio estimate of 60.8% remained above the U.S. average of 59.7% .

The New England unemployment rate averaged 3.6%. Rates for other states were 2.7% in New Hampshire, 3.2% in Vermont, 2.9% in Massachusetts, 5.3% in Rhode Island and 4.7% in Connecticut.

Breakdown of unemployment data

The preliminary nonfarm payroll jobs estimate of 612,300 for November was up 2,700 from one year ago. Most job growth was in the hospitality, health care and education sectors.

Non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates ranged from 3.1% in Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties to 5.7% in Aroostook county. Rates tended to be lower than the statewide average in southern and central counties and higher than average in northern and rim counties.

The unemployment rate was below the statewide average in the Portland-South Portland (3.1%) and Lewiston-Auburn (3.5%) metro areas and at the average in the Bangor (3.8%) metro.

December estimates will be released on Jan. 20.

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