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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

District of Columbia

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Payroll employment in the District of Columbia declined by 2,600 jobs (0.4 percent) in May. The unemployment rate declined 0.1 percentage point to 6.1 percent.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "The District of Columbia's labor market contracted in May as total payroll employment declined 0.4 percent in the month. The unemployment rate, however, edged down to 6.1 percent." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Total payroll employment in the District of Columbia declined by 2,600 jobs (0.4 percent) in May, on net. The largest declines were reported in professional and business services (1,200 jobs), education and health services (800 jobs), and other services (800 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, total payroll employment in the District of Columbia declined by 40,300 jobs (5.3 percent), on net. The vast majority of lob losses have come from the government sector, which is down 26,900 jobs from last year.
  • The unemployment rate in the District of Columbia declined 0.1 percentage point to 6.1 percent in May.

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

  • D.C. issued 455 new residential permits in May 2026, up from the 25 issued in April 2026. This is higher than the 5 permits issued in May 2025.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values depreciated 0.4 percent from Q4 of 2025 to Q1 of 2026. Additionally, home values increased 0.9 percent from Q1 of 2025 to Q1 of 2026.
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