Department of Numbers

Altoona, Pennsylvania Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Altoona rose 0.1 percentage points in March 2012 to 6.6%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.9 percentage points lower than the Pennsylvania rate. The unemployment rate in Altoona peaked in January 2010 at 7.9% and is now 1.3 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 6.4% in April 2011, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also compare Altoona unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate March 2012 Month/Month Year/Year
National 8.2% -0.1 -0.7
Pennsylvania 7.5% -0.1 -0.4
Altoona 6.6% +0.1 0.0
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with March 2012 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 February 2010 at 5,081. There are now 821 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 4,105 in May 2011, the number of unemployed has now grown by 155. Altoona employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Altoona, Pennsylvania) is also available.

Unemployed Persons March 2012 Month/Month Year/Year
Altoona 4,260 +48 +2

Number of Unemployed Persons

Altoona, Pennsylvania Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Pennsylvania
Unemployment Rate
Altoona
Unemployment Rate
Altoona
Unemployed
April
2012
8.1% 7.4%
March
2012
8.2% 7.5% 6.6% 4,260
February
2012
8.3% 7.6% 6.5% 4,212
January
2012
8.3% 7.6% 6.6% 4,268
December
2011
8.5% 7.7% 6.7% 4,348
November
2011
8.7% 7.8% 7.0% 4,508
October
2011
8.9% 7.9% 7.1% 4,626
September
2011
9.0% 8.0% 7.3% 4,747
August
2011
9.1% 8.1% 7.2% 4,674
July
2011
9.1% 8.1% 6.8% 4,386
June
2011
9.1% 8.0% 6.6% 4,232
May
2011
9.0% 8.0% 6.4% 4,105
April
2011
9.0% 7.9% 6.4% 4,135

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.