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District of Columbia

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Total payroll employment in the District of Columbia declined by 300 jobs (0.0 percent) in May. The unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percentage point to 5.9 percent.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "Labor market conditions in the District of Columbia softened in May. Payroll employment declined slightly in the month and the unemployment rate ticked up to 5.9 percent." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Total payroll employment in the District of Columbia declined by 300 jobs (0.0 percent) in May, on net. The largest declines came from the leisure and hospitality industry (1,300 jobs) and the government sector (900 jobs). Conversely, the largest job gains in the month occurred in professional and business services (1,300 jobs) and education and health services (600 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in the District of Columbia was down 1,800 jobs (0.2 percent), on net. Compared to last year, the largest job gain occurred in leisure and hospitality services (2,200 jobs) and the largest declines came from government (4,100 jobs) and professional business services (1,600 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in the District of Columbia edged up to 5.9 percent in May and is now 0.7 percentage point above as the unemployment rate a year ago.

Housing Market icon showing a picture of a house Housing Market Conditions

  • D.C. issued 5 new residential permits in May 2025, down from the 27 issued in April 2025. This is lower than the 40 permits issued in May 2024.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values appreciated 0.8 percent from Q4 of 2024 to Q1 of 2025. Additionally, home values increased 1.3 percent from Q1 of 2024 to Q1 of 2025.
Snapshot Resources
  • Term Definitions

    Payroll Employment
    The number of nonfarm jobs (persons on payrolls) according to where those jobs are located.

    Unemployment Rate
    The number of unemployed persons (those not employed but available and searching for work) as a percent of the civilian labor force (the total number of employed plus unemployed persons).

    Industry Structure
    A breakdown of total nonfarm jobs by industry. Percentages sum to 100 percent.

    Industry Growth
    The percentage change in jobs in each industry from a year ago.

    Building Permits
    The number of privately owned single-family and multi-family units authorized in permit-issuing places.

    House Price Index
    A repeat sales index, measuring average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings on the same single-family properties.

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Joseph Mengedoth