CNY region jobless rates rise in September versus a year ago

Unemployment rates are rising slightly from low levels in all six Central New York sub-regions, according to a recent state report.

The jobless rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Watertown–Fort Drum, Binghamton, Ithaca, and Elmira areas were all higher in September compared to September 2022.

The non-seasonally adjusted figures are part of the latest New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) data released Oct. 24.

Regional unemployment rates

The unemployment rate in the Syracuse region rose to 3.2 percent this September from the 3 percent a year earlier.

Around the 16-county Central New York region, the Utica–Rome area’s jobless number increased to 3.3 percent from 3.2 percent in the same period; the Watertown–Fort Drum area’s rate edged up to 3.4 percent from 3.3 percent; the Binghamton region’s jobless number hit 3.3 percent, up from 3.1 percent; the Ithaca area unemployment rate increased to 2.8 percent from 2.6 percent; and the Elmira region’s jobless number rose to 3.5 percent in September from 3.4 percent in the same month a year prior.

The local-unemployment data does not reflect seasonal influences such as holiday hires. The unemployment rates are calculated following procedures prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state Labor Department said.

New York state’s unemployment 

rate was 4.0 percent in September, up from 3.9 percent in August, but unchanged from 4.0 percent in September 2022.