Flagler County adds just three jobs in August, unemployment declines to 5.1%

Palm Coast Observer
Business

from: The Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce

Just three jobs were created in Flagler County in August. Despite job growth being put on pause, the unemployment rate in Flagler County continued its declining trend to 5.1%, down 0.2% from last month.

“Because job creation data is a lagging indicator, we did not know the impact of the delta variant until now. The data shows just three jobs were created in August 2021, as employers put hiring on pause in response to the incredible spread of COVID-19 in our community over the past eight weeks,” said Greg Blosé, President & CEO of the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber.

Despite the lack of job growth, the unemployment rate dropped from 5.3% to 5.1%, month-over-month. According to today’s data release from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity:

Flagler County’s labor force remained flat, losing just 74 residents in August 2021, and
The decline in residents claiming unemployment benefits continued with 77 fewer recipients being reported last month.

Flagler County employment grew from 46,409 in July 2021 to 46,412 in August 2021, an increase of just three new jobs. Meanwhile, the labor force declined from 48,997 in July 2021 to 48,923, a decrease of 74 Flagler County residents. The number of unemployed residents in Flagler County declined from 2,588 in July 2021 to 2,511 in August 2021, a decrease of 77 residents.