Medford’s unemployment dropped slightly in April compared to March, in line with a steady decline seen statewide in 2012, according to recent data.
The unemployment rate in Medford was measured at 5 percent in April by the state’s labor office, according to data released earlier this week. That’s down from 5.2 percent in March, and below the statewide average of 5.9 percent, according to the data. Medford’s unemployment rate has dropped a full percentage point since the start of 2012, according to the data.
The state saw a half a percentage point decrease from March’s 6.4 percent mark. Massachusetts gained nearly 19,000 jobs in that time, according to the data.
In the Boston area, Medford’s unemployment rate is most similar to Malden, 5.3 percent, Stoneham, 5.1 percent, and Wakefield at 4.8 percent.
The table below shows the unemployment rates for a sampling of Greater Boston. Have you seen evidence of a stronger hiring market? Are you a business owner looking for more help? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
* March numbers were readjusted and in some cases resulted in a percentage change for the marked communities.