The minimum wage in Seattle is now $16.39, or $15.75 if in a small business.
Unemployment in Seattle is 1.89%.
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Actually, it is higher, and generally around 2.2-3%, depending on statistics used. But the issue is much more complex, and simply using a percentage is not really a good measure.
Generally that statistic is made by comparing the labor force, with those not in the labor force due who collect unemployment. If you do not collect that aid, you are not unemployed. Decide to quit work and move, you are not unemployed. Decide to simply retire because you can not find a job, you are not unemployed. Been on so long you fall off the system, you are no longer unemployed.
And interestingly, there is only 1 real growth area in Seattle Employment, that is "Leisure and Recreation".
When looking at healthy growth, you need to look at several indicators. Mining, Farming, Construction, "Professional Trades", manufacturing, transportation, those are important indicators of growth or shrinking economies. And in most of those areas, Seattle tends to peak at certain times, then enter a slide before it peaks again then slides back down.
Most of the unemployment rate now for December are preliminary, and the "December Bump" rarely lasts. Generally those were temp or seasonal people brought in for the holidays, and most are back looking for work by February.
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