By the News Service of a Florida
An estimated 4,845 first-time unemployment claims were filed in Florida last week, the fewest for a week since the end of 2025.
The U.S. Department of Labor estimate is down from a revised count of 5,608 for the week ending Feb. 21.
Over the past four weeks, the running weekly average is now 5,534, down from 5,734.
The estimate for last week was the lowest for a single week since 4,205 were recorded the New Year’s holiday shortened period that ended Jan. 3.
Nationally, 213,000 claims were filed last week, unchanged from the prior week ending Feb. 21.
The U.S. unemployment rate stands at 4.3 percent. Florida’s jobless rate also is at 4.3 percent, reflecting mid-December conditions with an estimated 486,000 Floridians qualified as unemployed from a workforce of 11.23 million people.
Florida’s January numbers are set to be released April 8.