Special Report
American Cities Losing the Most Jobs
August 18, 2016 4:30 pm
Last Updated: March 13, 2020 4:30 pm
Source: Wikimedia Commons
56. Staunton-Waynesboro, VA
> Employment decline: -0.3%
> Number of jobs June 2012: 55,120
> Number of jobs June 2016: 54,970
> Unemployment rate June 2016: 3.5%
Total employment in Staunton-Waynesboro fell by 0.3% over the past four years, one of the largest declines of any metro area. The metro area’s government lost roughly 200 workers, the most of any sector.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
55. Carbondale-Marion, IL
> Employment decline: -0.4%
> Number of jobs June 2012: 56,076
> Number of jobs June 2016: 55,832
> Unemployment rate June 2016: 6.0%
Employment in the Carbondale-Marion metro area fell by 0.4% over the past four years, one of the largest contractions nationwide. The largest loss occurred in the government sector, which decreased by approximately 2,300 employees.
Source: Thinkstock
54. Lynchburg, VA
> Employment decline: -0.4%
> Number of jobs June 2012: 116,013
> Number of jobs June 2016: 115,501
> Unemployment rate June 2016: 4.2%
Employment in the Lynchburg metro area fell by 0.4%, one of the largest declines in the country. The largest loss occurred in the government sector, which decreased by approximately 400 employees.
Source: Thinkstock
53. Springfield, IL
> Employment decline: -0.4%
> Number of jobs June 2012: 105,998
> Number of jobs June 2016: 105,522
> Unemployment rate June 2016: 4.8%
Total employment in Springfield has fallen by 0.4% since 2012, while nationwide it has grown by 7.6%. The metro area’s financial industry lost the most employees. Employment in the sector fell by roughly 800 workers.
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
52. Lawton, OK
> Employment decline: -0.5%
> Number of jobs June 2012: 50,605
> Number of jobs June 2016: 50,362
> Unemployment rate June 2016: 4.7%
Much of the employment decline in Lawton was likely due to workers leaving the metro area. The population decreased by 1.6% between 2012 and 2015, one of the largest such declines in the country.
Source: Thinkstock
51. Wheeling, WV-OH
> Employment decline: -0.5%
> Number of jobs June 2012: 62,490
> Number of jobs June 2016: 62,179
> Unemployment rate June 2016: 6.8%
The total number of jobs in Wheeling fell from 62,490 to 62,179 over the past four years. The 0.5% decline was one of the largest of any metro area.
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