A construction industry trade group says Philadelphia lost the most construction jobs of all metro areas in the nation last year.
The Associated General Contractors of America reports that 4,800 construction jobs were lost in the Philadelphia area from Dec. 2010 through Dec. 2011.
That reflects a 7 percent decline. Some of the 337 areas included saw higher percentage declines. But Philadelphia had the highest total number of job losses.
The figures were derived from federal employment data and were not seasonably adjusted.
Philadelphia was followed by New York City, which lost 4,600 jobs, the Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas, area, with 4,500 in losses, and the St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. area with 4,300 jobs.
Philadelphia's losses come as spending nationally increased 4.3 percent in the same time period, according to AGC.
Parts of North jersey fared reasonably well. The Edison-New Brunswick area was in the list of top gainers.
Overall, construction employment increased in 148 out of 337 metropolitan areas.
"Many communities are benefitting from growing demand from the private sector for new construction activity," said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "Unfortunately, too many other areas are still coping with construction employment losses as the overall market remains relatively weak."
AGC of America is an industry trade and advocacy group on behalf of the construction industry.
