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Unemployment at 5-year low in Anchorage

The unemployment rate for Anchorage in October was 4.7

percent, the lowest monthly rate recorded since November, 2007.

The year-to-date (YTD) non-seasonally adjusted unemployment

rate in Anchorage is down 0.1 percent from September, averaging

5.7 percent. This is 0.6 percent lower than the 2011 YTD average.

The monthly rate has gone down 0.5 percent from September,

and 0.9 percent from October 2011. The monthly unemployment

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rate has dropped 0.6 percent since the beginning of the year. The

increase of 291 in the employment total during the YTD period

is primarily attributed to a reduction of 921 in the unemployment

total, but also encompasses a 630 person decrease in the

Anchorage labor force.

It is important to note that these unemployment numbers

represent the labor force residing in Anchorage, and do not include

jobs in Anchorage held by residents from outside the municipality.

The industry employment estimates referenced in the remainder

of this report are representative of all jobs in the Municipality of

Anchorage, regardless of the job holder's place of residency.

As for the Anchorage Industry Employment estimates, the YTD

average has maintained its upwards momentum and has a total

increase of 1,680 over 2011 YTD. Industries showing the most

improved YTD growth rates from September to October include

educational & health services, professional & business services

and leisure & hospitality. Seven of the ten major sector's October

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2012 averages are at or above October 2011s, indicating sustained

growth in many fields.

View the full report on AEDC's website. Look for the link on this page.

AEDC press materials

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