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Employment Status
Metadata
Variable Definitions:
Labor Force Participation Rate: The percentage of the population over the age of 16 who is in the civilian labor force, meaning they are either employed or unemployed and looking for work
Unemployment Rate: The percentage of people in the civilian labor force who are unemployed
Source:
American Community Survey, 5-year estimates, Table B23001
Years Available:
Years Available:*
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
*Note: Each year of available data shown above is a 5-year estimate, or an average of data collected over a five year period. 5-year estimates are used to increase the reliability of the data at small geographies like neighborhoods and census tracts. The years shown on the NDSC map represent the final year of the five year average (e.g. “2010” represents 2006-2010 data, “2011” represents 2007-2011 data, and so on). For the most impactful comparison of data over time, the ACS recommends comparing non-overlapping years (e.g. 2010-14 with 2015-19).
Why are these variables important to measure?
Labor Force Participation Rates
The term civilian labor force encompasses all people of working age (16 and over) who live in the United States, including employed people and unemployed people looking for work. The labor force does not include “discouraged workers,” people who are unemployed but have given up looking for work, or active military members.
Understanding the percentage of the working-aged population in the labor force within a community shows the size of the community’s workforce and thus its economic potential. It can also be helpful to design government programs, services to boost or maintain employment levels, as well as evaluating and addressing the needs of the people in the community.
Unemployment Rate
The term civilian labor force encompasses all people of working age (16 and over) who live in the United States, including employed people and unemployed people looking for work. The unemployment rate represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and looking for work. The labor force does not include “discouraged workers,” people who are unemployed but have given up looking for work, or active military members.
The percentage of unemployed people in the labor force is essential to understand the level of employment of a community, and thus, a gauge of its economic health. It can also be helpful to design government programs, services to boost or maintain employment levels, as well as evaluating and addressing the needs of the people in the community.
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