Labor Numbers Worsen in Danbury

Employment Outlook Worsens in Danbury

In the latest state Department of Labor jobs numbers, unemployment rose in Danbury in June.

 Unemployment numbers for June show Danbury's unemployed growing from 2,977 in May to 3,177 in June. That pushed Danbury's percentage unemployment figure from 6.3 percent in May to 6.7 percent in June.

"What you could be seeing is the cyclical nature of summer employment. Historically, the summer is the slow season," said Stephen Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce. "Six point seven percent is still good. It's ahead of the state and national figures. Danbury's diverse business base does better than most communities."

Statewide, the unemployment rate is 8.1 percent and the national rate is 8.2 percent.

While June unemployment figures rose, in January the city's unemployment rate was 7.1 percent. In April it was 5.9 percent, so the current figure of 6.7, while bad, is still better than the January figure.