Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Arizona Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Phoenix fell 0.0 percentage points in December 2011 to 7.9%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.8 percentage points lower than the Arizona rate. The unemployment rate in Phoenix peaked in November 2009 at 9.8% and is now 1.9 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 7.9% in November 2011, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also compare Phoenix unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
Arizona	8.7%	0.0	-0.9
Phoenix	7.9%	0.0	-0.9

Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.¹ All comparisons are made with December 2011 data as January metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Phoenix, Arizona, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Phoenix, Arizona Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Phoenix peaked in November 2009 at 206,011. There are now 38,225 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. Phoenix employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Phoenix, Arizona) is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
Phoenix	167,786	-532	-20,215

Number of Unemployed Persons

Phoenix, Arizona Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Arizona Unemployment Rate	Phoenix Unemployment Rate	Phoenix Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	8.7%	7.9%	167,786
November 2011	8.7%	8.7%	7.9%	168,318
October 2011	8.9%	9.0%	8.1%	171,561
September 2011	9.0%	9.1%	8.2%	173,824
August 2011	9.1%	9.3%	8.4%	178,088
July 2011	9.1%	9.4%	8.5%	180,563
June 2011	9.1%	9.3%	8.6%	182,495
May 2011	9.0%	9.1%	8.5%	180,249
April 2011	9.0%	9.3%	8.6%	183,944
March 2011	8.9%	9.5%	8.8%	186,656
February 2011	9.0%	9.6%	8.8%	187,615
January 2011	9.1%	9.6%	8.9%	188,142