State Unemployment Rate Drops to Lowest Since 2001

Massachusetts is adding jobs. The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has announced 5,800 jobs added in November, bringing the unemployment rate down to 2.9 percent. This is the lowest its been since January 2001. In two months, the rate has dropped .4 percent from 3.3 percent.

Job gains occurred in the Financial Activities; Professional, Scientific and Business Services; Construction; Information; Other Services; Education and Health Services; and Local Government sectors.

"We are very pleased to see the unemployment rate consistently go down month after month," Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said. "Not only is the unemployment rate declining, but we have continued job growth in key sectors that drive the Massachusetts economy."

There were 68,100 fewer unemployed residents and 108,400 more employed residents over the year compared to November 2015. Almost sixty-five percent of the state's labor force, or those 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks - is 64.7 percent.

On the North Shore:

Peabody's unemployment rate is 2.6%.
Danvers' unemployment rate is 2.3%.
Swampscott's unemployment rate is 2.4%.
Marblehead's unemployment rate is 2.3%.
Hamilton's unemployment rate is 2.1%.
Beverly's unemployment rate is 2.4%.

All figures are based off of October municipal employment data from the Office of Labor and Workforce Development.