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District of Columbia

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Total payroll employment in the District of Columbia declined by 600 jobs (0.1 percent) in April. The unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 5.8 percent.

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  • "The District of Columbia's labor market contracted in April. Payroll employment declined slightly in the month and the unemployment rate rose to 5.8 percent." – Joseph Mengedoth
  • Total payroll employment in the District of Columbia declined by 600 jobs (0.1 percent) in April, on net. The largest declines came from the professional and business services industry (1,100 jobs) and the government sector (1,000 jobs). The only sectors to add jobs in the month were leisure and hospitality (1,300 jobs), "other" services (200 jobs) and trade, transportation, and utilities (200 jobs).
  • On a year-over-year basis, payroll employment in the District of Columbia was down 700 jobs (0.1 percent), on net. Compared to last year, the largest job gain occurred in leisure and hospitality services (3,500 jobs) and the largest declines came from government and professional business services that each shed 2,700 jobs.
  • The unemployment rate in the District of Columbia increased by 0.2 percentage points to 5.8 percent as the number of unemployed people increased by 1,000 people in April.

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

  • D.C. issued 27 new residential permits in April 2025, up from the 18 issued in March 2025. This is lower than the 241 permits issued in April 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