The State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development released its January unemployment numbers on Friday. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January was 6.3 percent, virtually unchanged from December’s 6.4 percent. Alaska continues to be above the national average, which was 5.7 percent in January.
24 of 29 boroughs and census areas in Alaska had an increase in the not-seasonally adjusted rate. The areas that decreased include the Aleutians East and Kodiak Island boroughs and the Aleutians West and Dillingham Census Areas. These areas typically show a decrease this time of year due to the onset of the Pollock season and other winter fishing. The Municipality of Skagway was the other area to have a decrease, but on by .1 percent from the previous month. Skagway has the second highest level of unemployment behind the Wade Hampton Census Area.
For detailed employment estimates, visit http://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/ces/
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