
CITYWIDE — POST-PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT IN NEW YORK CITY PERSISTS FOR SOME DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS, particularly for youths and Black people, according to a report that state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released on Tuesday. DiNapoli also found that unemployment among people without a college education is closer to pre-pandemic levels than it is among college-educated people, a major shift from earlier this decade.
The city’s unemployment rate of 5.6% in December was higher than the national 4.4% rate. Even with workforce increases, the number of unemployed persons remains higher than it did in December 2019, when it was 4%.
The unsteadiness of the city’s workforce recovery from the pandemic is reflected across the demographic and socioeconomic makeup of the labor force, including gender, age, race and ethnicity, education and citizenship status. Black unemployment in the city stood at 8.9% last year, over three times higher than for whites and higher than the pre-pandemic rate in this category.
Youths aged 16 to 24 experienced the highest unemployment rate of all age groups nationwide, notwithstanding significant improvement during 2024; youths still face higher joblessness than other age groups.
Workers aged 55-64 are the only age group whose current unemployment rate is below pre-pandemic levels.
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SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.

ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.