Blacks, Hispanics need jobs the most

Hispanic and African-American city residents are facing unemployment rates more than three times higher than their white and Asian counterparts, according to a recent data analysis released by City Comptroller John Liu’s office.
The Comptroller’s Bureau of Fiscal and Budget Studies analyzed raw data in the Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the Census Bureau and highlighted trends amongst unemployed New Yorkers during the third quarter of this year, including data that showed 15.3 percent of African-Americans are unemployed and 13.3 percent of Hispanics are unemployed. These figures from the third quarter of 2010 show a significant increase from the third quarter of 2008, which had a 9.2 percent and 7.2 percent rate, respectively.
“What may be news to some is sadly the reality for too many. As clear as day, the data shows that the unemployment problem in New York City is one that disproportionately impacts people of color,” Liu said. “The persistent disparities in unemployment are totally unacceptable and must be eradicated. This snapshot illustrates the need for a concerted effort aimed at those most affected by this crisis.”
Meanwhile, the report also broke down the unemployment rates by borough with Queens’ rate for the third quarter of 2010 coming in at 8.5 percent. That rate, although a slight improvement from the 9.1 percent unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2009, was still much higher than the 5.1 percent rate the county had in 2008.
Still Queens’ current 8.5 unemployment rank does make it the second lowest of the five boroughs, only trailing Manhattan, which has a 7.8 percent unemployment rate. The Bronx, which had a 12.8 percent unemployment rate in the third quarter this year, came in with the highest numbers.
In addition to the high unemployment figures, the Comptroller’s office analysis also showed that 189,000 New Yorkers have been unemployed for more than six months, 96,000 for more than a year and 62,000 for more than 18 months.