Regional Unemployment Rate Announced for December 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2026
Contact
Charlotte Brown
Desk: 850-617-4504
Regional Unemployment Rate Announced for December 2025
CareerSource Capital Region Awarded State Rural Initiatives Grant to Expand Workforce Support in Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla Counties
GADSDEN, JEFFERSON, LEON, & WAKULLA COUNTIES, FL – According to the Florida Department of Commerce the regional unemployment rate for Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, and Wakulla counties was 4.9 percent for December 2025. This rate was 1.6 percentage points greater than the region’s year ago rate of 3.3 percent and was 0.5 percentage points above the state rate of 4.4 percent.
Wakulla County’s unemployment rate remained the lowest in the Capital Region at 4.1 percent; Jefferson County was at 4.7 percent; Leon County was at 4.9 percent; and Gadsden County was at 5.6 percent. There were 10,159 unemployed residents in the Capital Region.
The top six advertised occupations in the Capital Region in December 2025 were as follows:
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers
- Computer Occupations, All Other
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
- Customer Service Representatives
- Retail Salespersons
CareerSource Capital Region (CSCR) has been awarded a State Rural Initiatives Grant from the State of Florida to expand workforce development services for career seekers who face significant barriers to employment in Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties. These challenges include transportation limitations, lack of childcare, and limited digital access.
The grant allows CSCR to expand support to career seekers who need assistance gaining job skills and employment. Training opportunities are available for eligible individuals for classroom training and education, paid internships, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships.
Boise Cascade and St. Marks Powder are two employers that are already interested in finding individuals through this program. As part of this effort, CSCR will host a public information session event for these employers on Thursday, January 29, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. via Zoom (Online) to share details about working in an on-the-job training role that pays wages while workers learn.
Event information is available at: https://careersourcecapitalregion.com/calendar/event/6742/.
CareerSource Capital Region CEO Keantha B. Moore said the investment through this grant will help remove obstacles that limit economic mobility in CSCR’s rural counties.
“We are committed to ensuring residents in Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties have direct access to the resources they need in order to secure meaningful employment,” said Moore. “This grant provides funding that will help us break down barriers that too often prevent individuals from participating in the workforce. We have dollars available now to support training, work-based learning, and the supportive services people need to get to work and stay on the job, and we are ready to partner with employers across our rural communities.”
What Participants Can Receive
To help rural residents start and succeed in training and employment, participants enrolled in the State Rural Initiatives Grant may receive the following, subject to eligibility and the availability of funds:
Direct Supportive Services
- Transportation assistance
- Work attire, uniforms, tools, and required safety gear
- Books, supplies, and required training materials
- Application, testing, and certification fee assistance
- Soft skills credentialing to strengthen workplace readiness
- Enhanced individualized assistance and career navigation
- Needs-based referrals for housing, childcare and dependent care assistance, legal aid, and medical services
Residents of Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties who want to learn more or begin the enrollment process are encouraged to attend the upcoming information session or contact CSCR directly.
Visit the website and follow CSCR on social media to learn about upcoming hiring fairs, recruitment events, workshops and other solutions that are available.
Website: www.careersourcecapitalregion.com
Facebook: CareerSource Capital Region
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/careersourcecapitalregion
Instagram: @careersourcecr
For more information about the Capital Region’s Unemployment Report for December 2025, click here.
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About CareerSource Capital Region
CareerSource Capital Region connects employers with qualified, skilled talent and Floridians with employment and career development opportunities to achieve economic prosperity in Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties. Solutions for career seekers include one-on-one career advising, interviewing and resume-writing assistance, employment workshops, and labor market information. Solutions for employers include recruitment assistance, skills assessments for applicants, customized training, and information on tax incentives. Employers and career seekers are matched through the Employ Florida system. Solutions are provided at no cost. This initiative was supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture as part of awards totaling $6,083,592 with 0% financed from non-governmental sources. Programs funded through CareerSource Capital Region are equal opportunity programs with auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Persons using TTY/TTD equipment use Florida Relay Service 711. A proud partner of the American Job Center network.