The unemployment rate in the Polk County region was 3.2% in September 2022, according to an employment report released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

This was 1.5% lower than the region's year ago rate of 4.7%. But, the region's September unemployment rate was 0.6% above the state rate of 2.6%, the FDEO said.  The labor force in the Polk County region was comprised of 342,927 workers, up by 10,793 workers or 3.2% higher than a year ago.

There were 10,861 unemployed residents in the region, the agency said.

Previously: Polk unemployment rate lowers to 3.5% for August compared to last year

Also: Polk's July unemployment rate at 3.6%, lower than year ago

Also in September, nonagricultural employment in the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area was 265,400, an increase of 8,900 jobs or a 3.5% rise compared to a year ago.

There were job sectors in the county that rose faster than they did statewide. The education and health job categories rose 10.3%, which placed that sector at the second fastest in annual job growth compared to all other metropolitan areas statewide.

“Polk County is reaping the benefits of 'demographic dividends' of itself together with high growth neighboring counties," said professor Shivendu Shivendu at the University of South Florida, Muma College of Business. "As population grows due to the move of retirees there is a large push toward jobs in health. Jobs also grow in services. Families move to the county and that creates educational jobs.”

Other services also rose 10.3% placing this job growth rate as the third fastest annually compared to statewide figures.

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, this sector includes establishments in “equipment and machinery repairing, promoting or administering religious activities, grantmaking, advocacy, and providing dry cleaning and laundry services, personal care services, death care services, pet care services, photofinishing services, temporary parking services and dating services.”

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Government hires also rose 0.7%, which was also faster in Polk County than statewide over the year.

Overall in Polk County, the FDOE reported the following industries gaining jobs over the year were:

• Education and health services (+3,600)

• Trade, transportation, and utilities (+2,000)

• Leisure and hospitality (+1,800)

• Other services (+700);

• Professional and business services (+600)

• Financial activities (+300)

• Manufacturing (+200)

• Government (+200 jobs)

Shivendu explained why the job categories of trade, transportation and utilities, as well as the leisure and hospitality job categories have added the most workers year over year in September's FDEO report.  

“My understanding is that this is due to the demographic dividend together with the relatively lower cost of living and real estate,” he said. “Businesses which cater to the needs of the Tampa and Orlando metropolitan area find it more beneficial and cost effective to locate in cities in Polk County.”

Not every category grew in Polk County. The FDEO reported the mining, logging and construction categories saw jobs lost over the year at 500 fewer. Information industry employment was unchanged.

Shivendu said more urbanized Lakeland-Winter Haven metro areas have much higher housing costs compared to rural areas that are more than 20 miles away from densely populated areas.

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This could shed light on why this BLS category, which includes construction workers, has been lagging even though record high numbers of building permits have been issued recently in the county.  

“Most of the workers on housing sites drive from those low rent areas,” Shivendu said. “Further, I think the pace of work at housing construction sites has slowed due to moderating demand, and although construction is still going on, it has not been at the same pace.” 

“Builders do not appear to be in a hurry to hit the market with new homes,” he added.

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Florida’s unemployment rate

In a glowing statewide unemployment report, the FDEO also said on Friday that Florida ranked as the state with the second fastest state Gross Domestic Product growth compared to the rest of the country. Florida’s annual GDP rate rose 1.6% in the second quarter of 2022 while the nation’s GDP has declined for two consecutive quarters.

Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.5% in September – the second lowest rate in the state’s recorded history and the lowest rate since October 2006, the release said.

Florida’s private sector employment increased by 47,500 jobs over the month in September 2022, an increase of 0.6% and 0.4% faster than the national growth rate of 0.2%.

Florida’s labor force grew by 3% over the year in September, a full percentage point faster than the national labor force growth rate of 2%. Since August, Florida’s labor force increased by 8,000.

“Florida’s economy continues to outpace the national average – Floridians are finding jobs, and our state’s businesses are thriving,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis in the release. “As we continue to support Southwest Florida communities in their recovery from Hurricane Ian, a resilient economy is paramount.”

Over the year, total private sector employment grew by 461,500 jobs or 5.8% statewide, which was 1.4% faster than the national rate of 4.4%. Florida employers have added jobs for 29 consecutive months through September 2022. The state’s labor force grew by 316,000 or 3% since September 2021.

As of Friday, online listings exceeded 464,000 jobs.

The national unemployment rate dropped slightly to 3.5% over the month and was 1.2 percentage points lower than in September 2021, the BLS reported. Unemployment rates were lower in September in 11 states and the District of Columbia, and higher in nine states.

Forty-six states and the District had jobless rate decreases from a year earlier and four states had little change.

Non-farm payroll employment increased in nine states, decreased in one state, and was essentially unchanged in 40 states and the District of Columbia in September. Over the year, non-farm payroll employment increased in 49 states and the District and was essentially unchanged in one state.

Paul Nutcher can be reached at pnutcher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk unemployment rate 3.2% in September 2022