Department of Numbers

Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Lewiston rose 0.1 percentage points in November 2023 to 3.0%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.0 percentage points lower than the Maine rate. The unemployment rate in Lewiston peaked in May 2020 at 9.4% and is now 6.4 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.6% in April 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also compare Lewiston unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate November 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.7% -0.1 +0.1
Maine 3.0% +0.2 -0.1
Lewiston 3.0% +0.1 0.0
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with November 2023 data as December metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Lewiston, Maine, National

Lewiston, Maine monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Lewiston, Maine Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Lewiston peaked in May 2009 at 5,241. There are now 3,608 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 1,377 in June 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 256. Lewiston employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Lewiston, Maine) is also available.

Unemployed Persons November 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Lewiston 1,633 +76 +47

Number of Unemployed Persons

Lewiston, Maine Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Maine
Unemployment Rate
Lewiston
Unemployment Rate
Lewiston
Unemployed
December
2023
3.7%
November
2023
3.7% 3.0% 3.0% 1,633
October
2023
3.8% 2.8% 2.9% 1,557
September
2023
3.8% 2.7% 2.8% 1,499
August
2023
3.8% 2.5% 2.7% 1,441
July
2023
3.5% 2.4% 2.6% 1,387
June
2023
3.6% 2.4% 2.6% 1,377
May
2023
3.7% 2.4% 2.6% 1,379
April
2023
3.4% 2.4% 2.6% 1,383
March
2023
3.5% 2.6% 2.7% 1,442
February
2023
3.6% 2.8% 2.8% 1,483
January
2023
3.4% 2.9% 2.9% 1,513

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.