Skip to Main Content
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

District of Columbia

aerial view of Washington, D.C.

Payroll employment in the District of Columbia decreased by 1,200 jobs (0.2 percent) in August. The unemployment rate declined by 0.2 percentage point to 5.7 percent.

Download Full PDF

Labor market icon showing three people Labor Market Conditions

  • "Labor market indicators for the District of Columbia were mixed in August. Total payroll employment declined in the month; however, the unemployment rate fell to 5.7 percent and the labor force expanded." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Total payroll employment in the District of Columbia decreased by 1,200 jobs (0.2 percent) in August, on net. The most jobs were lost over the month in the professional and business services (1,000 jobs) and financial services (300 jobs) sectors.
  • On a year-over-year basis, total payroll employment in the District of Columbia declined by 27,000 jobs (3.6 percent), on net. The vast majority of job losses have come from the government sector, which is down 20,100 jobs from last year.
  • The unemployment rate in the District of Columbia declined by 0.2 percentage point to 5.7 percent in August.

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

  • D.C. issued 202 new residential permits in August 2026, up from the 36 issued in July 2026. This is lower than the 461 permits issued in August 2025.
  • According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values depreciated 1.5 percent from Q1 of 2026 to Q2 of 2026. Additionally, home values decreased 0.6 percent from Q2 of 2025 to Q2 of 2026.
Snapshot Resources

  • 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.

Subscribe to Economic Data

Receive an email notification when regional surveys and reports are posted online:

Subscribe to Economic Data

By submitting this form you agree to the Bank's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Notice.

Contact Icon Contact Us
Joseph Mengedoth