This directory contains estimates of the New Jersey labor force for Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas (PMSAs), labor areas, counties and municipalities. The data items include monthly estimates of labor force, employment, unemployment volume and unemployment rate for historical and current year. These estimates are produced by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Comparable labor force data for the United States can be obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For more information on these files, contact Roseanne Elcenko at 609.777.2193.

Technical Note:
Labor force and Unemployment estimating procedure.

Monthly Press Release on Employment and Unemployment for New Jersey

Press Release Dates

Labor Surplus Areas (Current)

Certified Target Employment Areas (TEA) Under the Immigration Act of 1990

On July 24, 2019 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced updates to regulations governing the EB-5 immigration visa program in a Federal Register Notice that can be found here. Each of the EB-5 rule changes described in the Federal Register notice became effective November 21, 2019.  Among the changes announced is the transfer of Targeted Employment Area (TEA) certification authority from states to U.S. DHS. As such, The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is no longer responsible for certifying TEA’s, or issuing TEA certification letters effective November 21, 2019.  

New Labor Area Designations

Starting with the publication of January 2015 data on March 17th, New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development will release nonfarm employment estimates and labor force statistics based on new labor market area definitions. Click here for: New Labor Area Designations Click here for: Map only

 Monthly Data:

State, Labor Areas, and Counties: Total Labor Force, Employed, Unemployed and Unemployment Rate

2021 County Labor Force Estimates(excel)

NJ Monthly Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Estimates: 1976-2021(Excel)

NJ Monthly Unadjusted Labor Force Estimates: 1976-2021(Excel)

Historical Data:
Total Labor Force, Employed, Unemployed and Unemployment Rate
PMSA/County/Labor Area Estimates: Unadjusted Annual & Monthly

County Labor Force Estimates: 2010-2020(Excel)

County Labor Force Estimates: 2000-2009 (Excel) 

County Labor Force Estimates: 1990-1999 (Excel) 

See technical note

Historical Data:

New Jersey annual averages: 1976 - 2020 (EXCEL) Total Labor Force, Employed, Unemployed and Unemployment Rate (updated April 2021)

County Annual Averages: 1990-2020 (EXCEL) 

Unemployment Rate (updated April 2018)

2021 Labor Force Estimates for Municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more (Excel)

Municipalities with population greater than 25,000 (Historical Data)

Monthly Municipal Labor Force Estimates: 2010-2020 (Excel)

Monthly Municipal Labor Force Estimates: 2000-2009 (Excel)

Monthly Municipal Labor Force Estimates: 1990-1999 (Excel)

Analysis of these data can be provided by the the local Labor Market Information Field Analyst.These data are also provided in the monthly publication New Jersey Economic Indicators.  For more information on New Jersey Labor Force Estimates see the first technical note below.

Annual Data:  Total Labor Force, Employed, Unemployed and Unemployment Rate Municipal Estimates

 See technical note

Current Monthly Maps

Unemployment Rates - New Jersey Counties

Labor Force Per Square Mile - New Jersey Counties

Unemployed Residents - New Jersey Counties

Historical Annual Maps

2020 Annual Unemployment Rates - New Jersey Counties

2020 Annual Unemployment Rates - New Jersey Municipalities 

2020 Annual Labor Force Per Square Mile - New Jersey Counties

2020 Annual Labor Force Per Square Mile - New Jersey Municipalities

2020 Annual Labor Force  - Unemployed Residents - Annual Average - New Jersey Counties

2020 Annual Labor Force  - Unemployed Residents - Annual Average - New Jersey Municipalities

2020 Annual Labor Force  - ALL Maps

Beginning on March 23, 2015, a new monthly series is being introduced as part of the LAUS program:  Characteristics of New Jersey's Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claimants.

Claimant characteristics such as gender, race, age, educational attainment, industry affiliation and occupation will be produced, both at the state and New Jersey county levels.  These counts represent the number of individuals that have certified for full weeks of regular UI benefits during the week that typically includes the 12th day of the month; these are considered representative of the UI claimant population for the entire month.  Please note that these data do not represent the entire universe of New Jersey's unemployed residents; they represent those unemployed that have certified for unemployment insurance benefits.

Current Month
Characteristics of New Jersey's Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claimants: Statewide and Counties (Excel)

Historical
Characteristics of New Jersey's Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claimants: Statewide and Counties; 8-2012 to 12-2015 (Excel)

Weekly UI Claimant Characteristics Reports

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