District of Columbia Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for District of Columbia fell 0.0 percentage points in July 2019 to 5.6%. The state unemployment rate was 1.9 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in District of Columbia peaked in June 2011 at 10.5% and is now 4.9 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 5.3% in October 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.3 percentage points. You can also see District of Columbia unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.2
District of Columbia	5.6%	0.0	+0.1

Note: All comparisons are made with July data as August state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: District of Columbia, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

District of Columbia Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in District of Columbia peaked in June 2011 at 36,759. There are now 13,759 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 21,532 in October 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 1,468. District of Columbia job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
District of Columbia	23,000	-126	+620

Number of Unemployed Persons

District of Columbia Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	District of Columbia Unemployment Rate	District of Columbia Unemployed
August 2019	3.7%	—	—
July 2019	3.7%	5.6%	23,000
June 2019	3.7%	5.6%	23,126
May 2019	3.6%	5.7%	23,191
April 2019	3.6%	5.6%	23,003
March 2019	3.8%	5.6%	22,719
February 2019	3.8%	5.5%	22,405
January 2019	4.0%	5.4%	21,980
December 2018	3.9%	5.4%	21,611
November 2018	3.7%	5.3%	21,558
October 2018	3.8%	5.3%	21,532
September 2018	3.7%	5.4%	21,694