Executive Summary
- The Twelfth District economy grew at a solid pace during the third quarter, although growth has slowed from earlier in the year.
- Payroll employment expanded by 2.3 percent at an annual rate during the three months ending in September, with a number of sectors posting solid growth.
- District growth continued to outpace national growth in recent months, although the gap between the District and the U.S. pace of expansion narrowed.
- The District’s current pace of growth represents a collection of divergent state experiences, with some state economies growing rapidly, while others are slowing or contracting.
- Despite slower employment growth, many District labor markets remain tight. On average, unemployment in the District was 5.5 percent in September, about the same as in 1997.