The Maine Department of Labor released year-end unemployment estimates for December showing the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8%, down slightly from 4.0% in November and 4.1% from a year ago. By comparison, The U.S. preliminary unemployment rate of 4.7% was little changed from 4.6% in November and down from 5.0% one year ago.

The New England unemployment rate averaged 3.5%. Rates for other states were 2.6% in New Hampshire, 3.1 % in Vermont, 2.8% in Massachusetts, 5.0% in Rhode Island and 4.4% in Connecticut.

Non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates ranged from 2.6% in Cumberland County to 5.5% in Somerset County. Rates tended to be lower than the statewide average in southern and central counties and higher than average in northern and rim counties.

The unemployment rate was below the statewide average in all three metro areas: Portland-South Portland (2.6%), Lewiston-Auburn (3.0%) and Bangor (3.3%).

By MichaelPublished On: January 26, 2017Categories: Business News, Maine Economy, VideoTags: Maine Lifestyle

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About the Author: Michael

Michael Sosnowski is co-owner and marketing director of Maine Home Connection, the independent boutique brokerage he founded with Laura in Portland, Maine in 2003. He leads MHC's marketing strategy, digital presence, and content operations — focused on building the kind of local expertise that no algorithm can replicate.