PIERRE, S.D. – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports South Dakota’s preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December 2011 was 4.2 percent, down from the November 2011 rate of 4.3 percent.
“The number of employed in the seasonally adjusted labor force increased by 7,700 people over the year, continuing a trend that has occurred for the past several months,” said State Labor and Regulation Secretary Pam Roberts.
From December 2010 to December 2011, preliminary estimates of South Dakota seasonally adjusted nonfarm workers show the level of workers increased by 6,700 for a total nonfarm level of 411,500. Industries adding the most workers included professional and business services, education and health services, and trade, transportation and utilities.
“After several winters of extreme cold and harsh conditions, this year’s mild weather through December was very accommodating, allowing construction and other seasonal employees to work more,” said Secretary Roberts.
Nationally, the December 2011 unemployment rate was 8.5 percent, decreasing slightly compared to the revised November rate of 8.7 percent. The national unemployment rate was 9.4 percent in December 2010 percent; in South Dakota, it was 4.7 percent.
An overview of the sub-state labor market will be released Jan. 27 in the e-Labor Bulletin. This publication and information on workforce services is available at www.sdjobs.org
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