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District of Columbia

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Payroll employment in the District of Columbia increased by 400 jobs (0.1 percent) in September. The unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage point to 6.2 percent.

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Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "Reports on the District of Columbia labor market were mixed in September. Payroll employment increased by a small amount (400 jobs), but the labor force contracted and the unemployment rate rose to 6.2 percent." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Total payroll employment in the District of Columbia increased by 400 jobs (0.1 percent) in September, on net. The most jobs were added in the month in professional and business services (600 jobs) and education and health services (600 jobs). Conversely, jobs were lost in leisure and hospitality (600 jobs) and trade, transportation, and utilities (300 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in the District of Columbia was down 9,600 jobs (1.2 percent), on net. Compared to last year, the most jobs were lost in government (7,200 jobs) and professional and business services (3,000 jobs).
  • The unemployment rate in the District of Columbia rose 0.2 percentage point to 6.2 percent in September as the number of unemployed rose and the labor force contracted.

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

  • D.C. issued 461 new residential permits in August 2025, up from the 82 issued in July 2025. This is higher than the 54 permits issued in August 2024.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values appreciated 1.7 percent from Q2 of 2025 to Q3 of 2025. Additionally, home values increased 1.1 percent from Q3 of 2024 to Q3 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