Department of Numbers

Altoona, Pennsylvania Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Altoona fell 0.3 percentage points in March 2013 to 7.2%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points lower than the Pennsylvania rate. The unemployment rate in Altoona peaked in February 2010 at 7.9% and is now 0.7 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 6.8% in March 2011, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also compare Altoona unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate March 2013 Month/Month Year/Year
National 7.6% -0.1 -0.6
Pennsylvania 7.9% -0.2 +0.3
Altoona 7.2% -0.3 +0.3
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with March 2013 data as April metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Altoona, Pennsylvania, National

Altoona, Pennsylvania monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Altoona, Pennsylvania Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Altoona peaked in March 2010 at 5,122. There are now 410 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 4,393 in January 2012, the number of unemployed has now grown by 319. Altoona employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Altoona, Pennsylvania) is also available.

Unemployed Persons March 2013 Month/Month Year/Year
Altoona 4,712 -198 +244

Number of Unemployed Persons

Altoona, Pennsylvania Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Pennsylvania
Unemployment Rate
Altoona
Unemployment Rate
Altoona
Unemployed
April
2013
7.5% 7.6%
March
2013
7.6% 7.9% 7.2% 4,712
February
2013
7.7% 8.1% 7.5% 4,910
January
2013
7.9% 8.2% 7.6% 4,962
December
2012
7.8% 7.9% 7.3% 4,765
November
2012
7.8% 8.1% 7.3% 4,764
October
2012
7.9% 8.0% 7.3% 4,765
September
2012
7.8% 8.1% 7.3% 4,770
August
2012
8.1% 8.1% 7.3% 4,773
July
2012
8.2% 8.1% 7.3% 4,761
June
2012
8.2% 8.0% 7.3% 4,718
May
2012
8.2% 7.9% 7.2% 4,643
April
2012
8.1% 7.8% 7.0% 4,551

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.