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State and Metro Area Employment, Hours, & Earnings

Impact of the Events of September 11, 2001, on BLS Nonfarm Payroll Employment Series for States and Metro Areas


  • The events of September 11, 2001, resulted in a tragic loss of life and significant economic disruption. Initial employment impacts from these events began to register in the Current Employment Statistics (CES) State and metropolitan area data for October 2001, released on November 20, 2001.
  • Widespread declines in total nonfarm employment reported for October across many States and industries include effects from the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
  • It is not possible to separate the overall October employment movements into the effects from the September 11 events and the effects from a generally weakening employment trend that had been evident for several months prior in a majority of States. However, several of the industry divisions with widespread employment weakness in October, particularly transportation and public utilities (which includes air transportation and travel agencies), and services (which includes hotels), were undoubtedly affected by the aftermath of the terrorist attacks and the widespread decline in travel following September 11.
  • Employment estimates for New York and New Jersey for the finance, insurance, and real estate division include effects from the movement of a substantial number of jobs out of the lower Manhattan area of New York City and into New Jersey following the destruction of the World Trade Center and other adjacent buildings. Whether this employment movement across State lines is temporary and will be reversed in later months is unknown at this time.
  • Overall CES data collection and estimation methods for the October estimates followed the survey's standard procedures. Nationwide, sample receipts were at a normal level for preliminary estimates. Sample receipts from the lower Manhattan area of New York City that was directly impacted by the World Trade Center attack continued to be slightly lower than normal for a second month, but sufficient to produce reliable estimates.
  • Postal service disruptions did not affect the overall level of CES sample receipts for October. Approximately 80% of the CES sample data are collected through automated methods; only 20% of the survey respondents report by mail.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

November 20, 2001

 

Last Modified Date: November 20, 2001