INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The latest unemployment numbers released from the state Friday show Indian River County ranked fourth for worst unemployment last month with 15.4 percent of its workforce not working.
However, total unemployment – not seasonally adjusted – decreased in September from August’s 16.3 percent. A year ago, though, unemployment sat at 14.9 percent. Seasonal-adjusted numbers were not available. The county ranks just behind St. Lucie County, with 15.5 percent, Flagler with 16.3 percent, and Hendry with 20.2 percent, according to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.
Also, the Sebastian-Vero Beach Metropolitan Service Area, which represents the bulk of employment in Indian River County, ranked No. 2 for worst unemployment, behind the Palm Coast Metropolitan Service Area. Palm Coast’s unemployment level is 16.3 percent.
The total labor pool in Indian River County is 62,599, according to AWI. At 15.4 percent unemployment, more than 9,600 people are out of work.
The Agency for Workforce Innovation’s numbers for non-agriculture related jobs shows a small increase in unemployment, shedding 100 jobs from August, equalling the rate of September 2009.
Approximately 19,600 people in Indian River County work in the agriculture industry, according to AWI.
State unemployment, as a whole, increased slightly from 11.8 percent in August to 11.9 percent in September. The state numbers have been adjusted for the seasons.
Florida’s non-agricultural workforce shrunk by .2 percent, representing 11,100 jobs.
Florida’s unemployment remains higher than the national average of 9.6 percent.