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Dolores County – Unemployment History 2024

Unemployment Word Cloud

Unemployment statistics are among the most critical indicators used to assess the health and stability of a local economy. These statistics provide valuable insights into labor market conditions, economic growth, and social well-being, helping policymakers, businesses, and researchers make informed decisions. Understanding unemployment trends allows stakeholders to identify economic strengths, weaknesses, and necessary interventions to foster sustainable development.

  1. Measuring Economic Health Unemployment rates serve as a barometer for the overall economic performance of a local economy. A low unemployment rate typically indicates a robust economy where businesses are expanding, consumer spending is strong, and job opportunities are plentiful. Conversely, high unemployment suggests economic distress, such as business closures, reduced consumer demand, or industrial decline. By tracking these trends, economists and local governments can gauge whether the economy is growing, stagnating, or contracting.

  2. Informing Policy Decisions Governments and policymakers rely on unemployment data to design and implement effective economic strategies. For instance, if a local economy experiences rising unemployment, policymakers might introduce job training programs, tax incentives for businesses, or infrastructure projects to stimulate employment. Conversely, if unemployment is too low, it may signal labor shortages, prompting policies that encourage workforce participation, such as childcare support or immigration adjustments. Without accurate unemployment statistics, policymakers would struggle to address labor market challenges effectively.

  3. Assessing Labor Market Dynamics Unemployment statistics reveal more than just joblessness-they highlight structural issues within the labor market. For example:
    • Frictional Unemployment (short-term joblessness due to workers transitioning between jobs) indicates a dynamic economy with fluid job mobility.
    • Structural Unemployment (mismatches between workers' skills and job openings) suggests a need for education and retraining programs.
    • Cyclical Unemployment (job losses due to economic downturns) calls for stimulus measures to revive demand.


    By analyzing these categories, local leaders can tailor workforce development initiatives to address specific labor market inefficiencies.

  4. Impact on Consumer Spending and Business Confidence Employment levels directly influence consumer spending, which drives local economic activity. High unemployment reduces disposable income, leading to lower retail sales, decreased tax revenues, and potential business cutbacks. Conversely, low unemployment boosts consumer confidence and spending, encouraging business expansion and investment. Businesses also monitor unemployment trends to assess labor availability and plan hiring strategies accordingly.

  5. Identifying Regional Disparities Unemployment statistics help identify disparities between different regions, industries, or demographic groups within a local economy. For example, certain areas may suffer from higher unemployment due to the decline of a dominant industry (e.g., manufacturing), while others thrive in growing sectors (e.g., technology). Similarly, youth or minority unemployment rates may be disproportionately high, signaling the need for targeted social and economic programs.

  6. Influencing Investment and Development Investors and developers use unemployment data to assess the viability of local markets. A high-unemployment region may deter investment due to reduced consumer demand, whereas areas with strong employment growth attract businesses and infrastructure projects. Municipalities can leverage favorable unemployment statistics to promote economic development and attract new industries.


Conclusion

Unemployment statistics are indispensable for understanding the local economy's dynamics, strengths, and challenges. They guide policy formulation, highlight labor market inefficiencies, influence business and consumer behavior, and help address socioeconomic disparities. By continuously monitoring and analyzing unemployment trends, local economies can implement proactive measures to ensure stability, growth, and equitable opportunities for all residents.

 
Quarter
Labor Pool
Employed
Unemployed
    Unemployment Rate %
     
1990 Q1 65363617  2.6  bar
Q2 68766423  3.3  bar
Q3 69267220  2.9  bar
Q4 66162437  5.6  bar
 
1991 Q1 66257587  13.1  bar
Q2 74965198  13.1  bar
Q3 72665175  10.3  bar
Q4 69763364  9.2  bar
 
1992 Q1 743584159  21.4  bar
Q2 735597138  18.8  bar
Q3 736632104  14.1  bar
Q4 66959475  11.2  bar
 
1993 Q1 718586132  18.4  bar
Q2 720587133  18.5  bar
Q3 72164279  11.0  bar
Q4 72265468  9.4  bar
 
1994 Q1 65756097  14.8  bar
Q2 68961871  10.3  bar
Q3 71164863  8.9  bar
Q4 69566629  4.2  bar
 
1995 Q1 61656254  8.8  bar
Q2 64857474  11.4  bar
Q3 64459747  7.3  bar
Q4 63659442  6.6  bar
 
1996 Q1 64556283  12.9  bar
Q2 68461470  10.2  bar
Q3 65059357  8.8  bar
Q4 66657492  13.8  bar
 
1997 Q1 701539162  23.1  bar
Q2 663552111  16.7  bar
Q3 61455856  9.1  bar
Q4 61356647  7.7  bar
 
1998 Q1 699569130  18.6  bar
Q2 64557471  11.0  bar
Q3 69262963  9.1  bar
Q4 66662046  6.9  bar
 
1999 Q1 70361984  11.9  bar
Q2 73268349  6.7  bar
Q3 70465351  7.2  bar
Q4 70265844  6.3  bar
 
2000 Q1 85779958  6.8  bar
Q2 89384449  5.5  bar
Q3 94990544  4.6  bar
Q4 90686046  5.1  bar
 
2001 Q1 84079347  5.6  bar
Q2 85581837  4.3  bar
Q3 93389340  4.3  bar
Q4 1,02197150  4.9  bar
 
2002 Q1 968866102  10.5  bar
Q2 96087981  8.4  bar
Q3 1,02995772  7.0  bar
Q4 99692274  7.4  bar
 
2003 Q1 986886100  10.1  bar
Q2 963863100  10.4  bar
Q3 1,04096080  7.7  bar
Q4 98992663  6.4  bar
 
2004 Q1 96489767  7.0  bar
Q2 95287280  8.4  bar
Q3 1,04298359  5.7  bar
Q4 95490549  5.1  bar
 
2005 Q1 94486381  8.6  bar
Q2 92885078  8.4  bar
Q3 1,03698452  5.0  bar
Q4 99193259  6.0  bar
 
2006 Q1 90183467  7.4  bar
Q2 95486688  9.2  bar
Q3 1,04298260  5.8  bar
Q4 99794948  4.8  bar
 
2007 Q1 1,03998059  5.7  bar
Q2 1,01096149  4.9  bar
Q3 1,0571,00651  4.8  bar
Q4 1,03098446  4.5  bar
 
2008 Q1 98292854  5.5  bar
Q2 91584570  7.7  bar
Q3 1,04596976  7.3  bar
Q4 1,02695769  6.7  bar
 
2009 Q1 994878116  11.7  bar
Q2 979827152  15.5  bar
Q3 1,070929141  13.2  bar
Q4 1,155996159  13.8  bar
 
2010 Q1 981783198  20.2  bar
Q2 973773200  20.6  bar
Q3 993826167  16.8  bar
Q4 1,022849173  16.9  bar
 
2011 Q1 951790161  16.9  bar
Q2 894756138  15.4  bar
Q3 954839115  12.1  bar
Q4 955848107  11.2  bar
 
2012 Q1 886782104  11.7  bar
Q2 87577798  11.2  bar
Q3 1,00590996  9.6  bar
Q4 98890286  8.7  bar
 
2013 Q1 926821105  11.3  bar
Q2 97989485  8.7  bar
Q3 1,06098080  7.5  bar
Q4 1,04997970  6.7  bar
 
2014 Q1 94586382  8.7  bar
Q2 1,05599362  5.9  bar
Q3 1,3951,34946  3.3  bar
Q4 1,6611,62437  2.2  bar
 
2015 Q1 1,6701,62842  2.5  bar
Q2 1,5771,53344  2.8  bar
Q3 1,1861,15135  3.0  bar
Q4 1,01598233  3.3  bar
 
2016 Q1 1,01397241  4.0  bar
Q2 99394746  4.6  bar
Q3 1,1331,09043  3.8  bar
Q4 1,1011,06734  3.1  bar
 
2017 Q1 1,0831,04637  3.4  bar
Q2 1,0821,05527  2.5  bar
Q3 1,1731,14726  2.2  bar
Q4 1,2191,18534  2.8  bar
 
2018 Q1 1,1101,07634  3.1  bar
Q2 1,0881,06028  2.6  bar
Q3 1,2121,17933  2.7  bar
Q4 1,1841,15826  2.2  bar
 
2019 Q1 1,0681,03236  3.4  bar
Q2 1,0981,06632  2.9  bar
Q3 1,2041,17430  2.5  bar
Q4 1,2221,19329  2.4  bar
 
2020 Q1 1,0721,02250  4.7  bar
Q2 1,054935119  11.3  bar
Q3 1,06499965  6.1  bar
Q4 1,1841,12955  4.6  bar
 
2021 Q1 1,06899969  6.5  bar
Q2 1,06099070  6.6  bar
Q3 1,1071,04859  5.3  bar
Q4 1,1271,08047  4.2  bar
 
2022 Q1 1,0711,02051  4.8  bar
Q2 1,0711,03437  3.5  bar
Q3 1,1471,11433  2.9  bar
Q4 1,1501,11634  3.0  bar
 
2023 Q1 1,01998732  3.1  bar
Q2 1,0491,01237  3.5  bar
Q3 1,1001,06337  3.4  bar
Q4 1,1361,10234  3.0  bar
 
2024 Q1 1,00896345  4.5  bar
Q2 1,0591,00752  4.9  bar
Q3 1,1011,05348  4.4  bar
Q4 1,1211,07447  4.2  bar
 


Sources: STI: Colossus