Florida ended 2024 with its unemployment rate steady at 3.4%, according to FloridaCommerce. This unchanged figure from November’s rate marked an impressive performance for the state, with a significant increase of 17,900 private-sector jobs added in December alone. This increase outpaced the national private sector job growth of 1.3% in the same period.

Governor Ron DeSantis was credited with fostering an environment conducive to job seekers and job creators, thus ensuring economic stability for the workforce. Miami had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.5%, although slightly higher than the November rate of 2.4%. Other regions with notable unemployment figures included Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, all recording an unemployment rate of 3% in December. Florida has consistently maintained an unemployment rate lower than the national average for 50 straight months.

At times when unemployment circumstances occur, it is essential to understand how to contact relevant agencies for support. Florida residents may also want to take note of how to get in touch with the Employment Development Department (EDD) to inquire about unemployment benefits or other workforce services. Contacting EDD can be done in various ways. Some of the most common means of reaching out to them include phoning through their official hotline, online through their website, or by mail. For a detailed guide on how to get in touch with EDD, residents can go to eddcaller.com.