News Summary
Jacksonville’s unemployment rate has risen from 4.2% in July to 4.6% in August, marking the highest point in over four years. This increase is notable amidst minimal job growth in the area, which saw only 5,300 new jobs over the past year. Every county in the Jacksonville metropolitan area, including Duval, Baker, and Clay, reported increased unemployment rates, signaling potential challenges for residents as sectors faced both growth and job losses.
Jacksonville’s Unemployment Rate Hits Four-Year High at 4.6%
Jacksonville’s unemployment rate has increased from 4.2% in July to 4.6% in August, marking the highest rate in the metropolitan area in over four years. The Florida Department of Commerce reported this rise on September 19. This increase is notable as it surpasses the previous high of 4.7% recorded in June 2021.
In the Jacksonville metropolitan area, which includes Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties, the job market showed minimal growth. Nonfarm businesses added only 5,300 jobs from August 2024 to August 2025, resulting in a 0.7% growth rate. This job growth is the lowest percentage documented since the COVID-19 pandemic triggered job reductions from April 2020 through March 2021. Excluding the pandemic’s effects, this 0.7% job growth rate is the lowest since January 2012, which had a rate of 0.6%.
County-Specific Unemployment Rates
Every county within the Jacksonville metropolitan area saw an uptick in unemployment rates during August. Duval County experienced a rise of 0.3 percentage points, bringing its unemployment rate to 4.6%. Both Baker and Clay counties also reported rates of 4.6%. St. Johns County followed closely with 4.5%, while Nassau County reported the lowest rate at 4.4%.
Sector-Specific Job Growth and Losses
Despite an overall sluggish job market, some sectors managed to achieve significant growth. The private education and health services sector added 6,900 jobs, translating to a robust 5.3% increase over the year. Additionally, the construction sector saw a boost with 2,000 new jobs, reflecting a 3.8% growth. The professional, scientific, and technical services sector also added 1,000 jobs or 1.7%.
Conversely, the Jacksonville labor market faced considerable job losses in certain areas. The administrative and support services sector, which includes waste management and remediation, lost 2,000 jobs, representing a 3.6% decline. The finance and insurance sector experienced a reduction of 1,000 jobs, marking a 1.9% decline. The leisure and hospitality sector also struggled, shedding 1,200 jobs or 1.3%.
State and Nationwide Context
In comparison, Florida’s overall job growth rate was 1% in August, with the state’s unemployment rate rising by 0.1 percentage points to a seasonally adjusted 3.8%. Notably, the national unemployment rate currently stands at 4.1%, indicating that Jacksonville is struggling more than other regions in relation to the national and state averages.
The Department of Commerce has indicated that local area unemployment data is not adjusted for seasonal factors in its reports, which might further illustrate the challenges faced by Jacksonville’s labor market as it heads into the fall months.
As Jacksonville grapples with its highest unemployment rate in four years, trends in job growth reflect a broader narrative of economic recovery. However, the sluggish growth rates and increases in unemployment in every county signal potential challenges ahead for residents and businesses in the area.
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Additional Resources
- Northeast Florida Unemployment Rate Highest in Four Years at 4.6%
- Wikipedia: Unemployment
- Florida Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 3.7% for Third Month Straight
- Google Search: Florida unemployment rate
- Northeast Florida Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 4.3% in July
- Google Scholar: Unemployment rates in Florida
- Northeast Florida Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.6%
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Unemployment statistics
- Northeast Florida Unemployment Jumps to Post-Pandemic High
- Google News: Northeast Florida unemployment trends
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
