The largest over-the-year
employment increases were posted in Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, 80,100; New
York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, 65,500; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, 58,200;
and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, 35,700. The largest over-the-year percentage
increases in employment were reported in Pascagoula, Mississippi, 13.9%; Coeur
d’Alene, Idaho, 5.7%; Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, Washington, and Odessa, Texas, 5.2%
each. Falling employment or rising
unemployment rates can indicate an area has surplus construction workers. The
largest over-the-year decreases in employment occurred in
Detroit-Warren-Livonia, -45,300; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, -35,300; Riverside-San
Bernardino-Ontario, California, -21,700; and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano
Beach, -20,800.