Overview of the CareerSource Heartland Region
Not Seasonally Adjusted September 15, 2023
- The unemployment rate in the CareerSource Heartland region (DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee counties) was 4.3 percent in August 2023. This rate was 0.4 percentage point greater than the region’s year ago rate of 3.9 percent. The region’s August 2023 unemployment rate was 2 percentage points above the state rate of 3.1 percent. The labor force was 79,115, up 2,655 (+3.5 percent) over the year. There were 3,434 unemployed residents in the region.
- DeSoto County had the lowest unemployment rate (3.6 percent) in the CareerSource Heartland region followed by Okeechobee County (3.7 percent), Highlands County (4.8 percent), and Hardee County (4.9 percent).
- Employment by industry in the CareerSource Heartland region totaled 57,981 jobs in March 2023 (the latest available data). CareerSource Heartland region’s employment increased by 1,699 jobs (+3.0 percent) over the year.
- The Manufacturing (+7.9 percent); Other Services (+7.9 percent); Construction (+7.5 percent); Financial Activities (+6.4 percent); and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+3.8 percent) industries grew faster in the region than statewide over the year.
- The industries gaining jobs over the year were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+445 jobs); Construction (+273 jobs); Education and Health Services (+212 jobs); Leisure and Hospitality (+193 jobs); Government (+184 jobs); Manufacturing (+129 jobs); Financial Activities (+105 jobs); Other Services (+94 jobs); and Professional and Business Services (+79 jobs).
- The industries losing jobs over the year were Natural Resources and Mining (-35 jobs) and Information (-22 jobs).
Sebring Metro Area:
- In August 2023, nonagricultural employment in the Sebring MSA was 27,500, an increase of 700 jobs (+2.6 percent) over the year.
- The Government industry was unchanged in jobs over the year.
Note: All data are subject to revision.
Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Workforce Statistics and Economic Research.
| Unemployment Rates (%) (not seasonally adjusted) | Aug-23 | Jul-23 | Aug-22 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CareerSource Heartland | 4.3 | 4.3 | 3.9 |
| DeSoto County | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Hardee County | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.4 |
| Highlands County | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.4 |
| Okeechobee County | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.2 |
| Florida | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.0 |
| United States | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| Florida Employment by Industry Covered by Unemployment Compensation (not seasonally adjusted) | Mar-23 | Mar-22 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employment | 9,641,084 | 9,259,750 | 381,334 | 4.1 |
| Natural Resources and Mining | 72,216 | 76,686 | -4,470 | -5.8 |
| Construction | 620,571 | 589,460 | 31,111 | 5.3 |
| Manufacturing | 415,746 | 402,559 | 13,187 | 3.3 |
| Trade, Transportation, and Utilities | 1,935,109 | 1,896,006 | 39,103 | 2.1 |
| • Wholesale Trade | 386,419 | 370,772 | 15,647 | 4.2 |
| • Retail Trade | 1,131,158 | 1,115,949 | 15,209 | 1.4 |
| • Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 417,532 | 409,285 | 8,247 | 2.0 |
| Information | 159,005 | 151,335 | 7,670 | 5.1 |
| Financial Activities | 1,612,919 | 1,549,218 | 63,701 | 4.1 |
| Professional and Business Services | 1,443,810 | 1,358,214 | 85,596 | 6.3 |
| Education and Health Services | 1,310,150 | 1,230,783 | 79,367 | 6.4 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | 1,261,276 | 1,197,992 | 63,284 | 5.3 |
| Other Services | 286,282 | 272,296 | 13,986 | 5.1 |
| Government | 1,097,256 | 1,070,263 | 26,993 | 2.5 |
| Population | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CareerSource Heartland | 206,987 | 202,986 | 4,001 | 2.0 |
| DeSoto County | 35,312 | 34,340 | 972 | 2.8 |
| Hardee County | 25,645 | 25,307 | 338 | 1.3 |
| Highlands County | 105,618 | 103,295 | 2,323 | 2.2 |
| Okeechobee County | 40,412 | 40,044 | 368 | 0.9 |
| Florida | 22,244,823 | 21,828,069 | 416,754 | 1.9 |
| Average Annual Wage | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CareerSource Heartland | $44,034 | $41,250 | $2,784 | 6.7 |
| DeSoto County | $45,426 | $43,092 | $2,334 | 5.4 |
| Hardee County | $42,409 | $39,749 | $2,660 | 6.7 |
| Highlands County | $43,540 | $40,534 | $3,006 | 7.4 |
| Okeechobee County | $45,001 | $42,379 | $2,622 | 6.2 |
| Florida | $63,811 | $60,299 | $3,512 | 5.8 |
Note: All data are subject to revision.
Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Workforce Statistics and Economic Research.
