Westford's Unemployment Remains Beneath State, National Rates

The unemployment rate in Westford remains fairly stable, and lower than the state and national averages.

According to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), Westford had just over 600 unemployed residents in November, for a rate of 5.1 percent, equal to its October rate and slightly higher than the 5.0 percent rate in September.

In comparison, the EOLWD reported a 6.2 percent unemployment rate in November for the state as a whole, and the U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics reported a 7.0 percent national average.

While there have not been recent shifts in unemployment, the announcement for November figures presents a half-a-percent jump from 2011 and an over one percent drop from 2010.

Among Westford’s neighbors, Acton had a 4.3 percent rate, Groton was at 4.8 percent, Dunstable was at 4.2 percent, Carlisle was at 3.8 percent, Tyngsborough was at 6.2 percent and Chelmsford was at 5.1 percent.