July 20, 2012

Maine unemployment up slightly to 7.5% in June

Regardless of the higher rate of unemployment, Maine continues to fare better than the nation.

By Jessica Hall jhall@pressherald.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA — Maine's unemployment data rose slightly in June to 7.5 percent, up from 7.4 percent in May, according to the state Department of Labor.

click image to enlarge

Workers frame walls at MaineGeneral's new regional hospital under construction in North Augusta in this May 27, 2012, photo. The $312 million project was expected to generate 400 to 500 construction jobs over the summer.

Staff photo by Joe Phelan

The state unemployment data has been slowly ticking higher over the past several months. The state attributed the rise since February, when unemployment was 7.1 percent, to declining estimates of the number of employed people, partially reversing the rapid employment rise that household survey estimates indicated in the latter part of 2011.

Regardless of the higher rate of unemployment, Maine continues to fare better than the nation. The state has lower unemployment, higher rates of labor force participation, and a higher share of population that is employed than the nation as a whole.

Throughout the state, the unemployment rate was below the statewide average in Portland-South Portland-Biddeford at 5.9 percent, and higher than the statewide average in Bangor (7.4 percent) and Lewiston-Auburn (7.7 percent).

For the month of June, the unemployment rate for all of New England was 6.8 percent. Rates in other states ranged from 4.7 percent in Vermont to 10.9 percent in Rhode Island.

 
 
 
 

 

Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form

Send question/comment to the editors




Further Discussion

Here at PressHerald.com we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion. To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use.

Questions about the article? Add them below and we’ll try to answer them or do a follow-up post as soon as we can. Technical problems? Email them to us with an exact description of the problem. Make sure to include:
  • Type of computer or mobile device your are using
  • Exact operating system and browser you are viewing the site on (TIP: You can easily determine your operating system here.)


Most…