District of Columbia Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for District of Columbia rose 0.1 percentage points in March 2023 to 4.8%. The state unemployment rate was 1.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in District of Columbia peaked in April 2020 at 11.2% and is now 6.4 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.9% in August 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.9 percentage points. You can also see District of Columbia unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	March 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.5%	-0.1	-0.1
District of Columbia	4.8%	+0.1	-0.4

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

Unemployment Rate: District of Columbia, National

District of Columbia monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to March 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

District of Columbia Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in District of Columbia peaked in April 2020 at 43,900. There are now 25,007 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 15,417 in August 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 3,476. District of Columbia job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	March 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
District of Columbia	18,893	+736	-1,407

Number of Unemployed Persons