FROM the Center on Workforce Research and Information:
Household Survey Estimates – The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.5 percent for June was the lowest since August 2008. The estimate is down from 5.7 percent in May and 6.7 percent one year ago. The number of unemployed declined 8,200 over the year to 39,300.
The share of the population that is employed was estimated at 61.6 percent, well above the U.S. average of 59.0 percent. June was the 81st consecutive month the employment to population ratio was above the national average.
The U.S. unemployment rate estimate declined to 6.1 percent from 6.3 percent in May and 7.5 percent one year ago. The New England unemployment rate averaged 5.7 percent. Rates for other states were 4.4 percent in New Hampshire, 3.5 percent in Vermont, 5.5 percent in Massachusetts, 7.9 percent in Rhode Island, and 6.7 percent in Connecticut.
Labor force and unemployment data for the state, counties, and labor market areas is available here.
Payroll Survey Estimates – The preliminary nonfarm payroll jobs estimate for June is 611,400, up 8,000 from one year ago. Private sector jobs were up 8,800, primarily in the leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, retail trade, and education and healthcare sectors. Those gains were partially offset by a decline of 800 jobs in government.
Nonfarm payroll jobs data for the state and three metropolitan areas is available here.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Substate Data
The not seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in June, down from 6.6 percent one year ago. Not seasonally adjusted rates ranged from 4.1 percent in Cumberland County to 7.7 percent in Aroostook and Washington Counties. Rates tended to be lower than the statewide average in southern and central counties and higher than average in northern and rim counties.
Among metro areas the unemployment rate was below the statewide average in Portland-South Portland-Biddeford (4.1 percent) and Lewiston-Auburn (4.9 percent) and at the statewide average in Bangor (5.1 percent).