Business & Tech

Chart: Latest Unemployment Numbers

This week's chart focuses on the latest unemployment numbers in the region.

December seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates are down in the Boston-area while the rates for the remaining twenty one areas were reflecting seasonal changes, according to the state Office of Labor and Workforce Development. 

Locally, Lawrence's rate is the highest at 14.5 with 4,544 people out of work in December. The lowest rate is in Lexington where 608 people are unemployed - a rate of 4.0.

Statewide, the December seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate was 6.5 percent, up from 6.4 percent in November. Over-the-year the statewide rate was down 1.5 percentage points from the 8.0 percent rate recorded for December 2010. All twenty-two labor area rates were down over the year.

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Community Labor Force Employed Unemployed Rate Andover  16,855 16,093 762
 4.5 Billerica  22,429  21,077 1,352  6.0 Chelmsford  19,275 18,193 1,082  5.6 Dracut 16,695 15,646 1,049  6.3 Haverhill  31,824  29,419 2,405  7.6 Lawrence  31,232  26,688    
4,544    
14.5 Lexington  15,303 14,695  608    
 4.0 Littleton  4,878  4,643
 235  4.8 Lowell  51,636  47,104
4,532  8.8 Methuen 24,211  22,285 1,926  8.0 North Andover 13,574  12,856 718
 5.3 North Reading  8,104  7,701  403    
 5.0 Reading  12,857 12,218
 639
5.0 Tewksbury  17,372 16,457  915
 5.3 Westford 12,359  11,805
554
4.5 Wilmington  12,504
 11,859      
 645    
 5.2


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