Population Growth for New York area

Population growth in New York City, although ahead of other large cities in the Northeast, lagged behind cities in the South and West.

Growth in the area declined in the years 2004 and 2005. This is attributed to high cost of real estate in the region and a decline in immigrants coming to New York.

The survey did npot include data about the New York suburbs.

February Labor Report Exceeds Expectations

U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by a better-than-expected 243,000 in February. The jobless rate increased slightly to 4.8% in February, from a five-year low of 4.7% in January, the Labor Department reported. The number of unemployed people rose by 153,000 to 7.2 million.

Service-producing industries added 198,000 jobs, including 47,000 in education and health services and 39,000 in professional and business services. Retail added 7,000 jobs.