Unemployment in the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield metro area was 8.5 percent in August, lower than the national unemployment rate of 9.1 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The metro area unemployment rate in July was 8.6 percent.
Total nonfarm employment in the metro area stood at 1,200,700 in August, down 1,300 jobs or -0.1 percent over the year.
Nationally, nonfarm employment rose 1.0 percent from one year ago.
According to the agency, three of the 10 industry “supersectors” in the metro area added more than 2,500 jobs from August 2010 to August 2011.
Trade, transportation and utilities experienced the largest gain adding 4,000 jobs.
Professional and business services added 3,700 jobs and education and health services added 2,600.
However, three of the ten supersectors shed jobs, each losing more than 2,000 jobs over-the-year.
Financial activities reported the largest employment loss, down 3,300 jobs, followed by the information sector which lost 3,000 jobs.
Mining, logging and construction lost 2,300 jobs.
The statistics released today were not seasonally adjusted.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
