CNY region unemployment picture mixed in October

Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, and Binghamton dipped in October compared to a year ago.

At the same time, the jobless rate in the Watertown–Fort Drum metro area inched up in October compared to the same month in 2015. The unemployment rate in Ithaca remained unchanged, year-over-year.

The figures are part of the latest New York State Department of Labor data released Tuesday.

The jobless rate in the Syracuse area was 4.6 percent in October, down from 4.7 percent in October 2015.

The unemployment rate in the Utica–Rome region fell to 4.6 percent in October from 4.8 percent in the year-earlier period.

The jobless rate in the Watertown–Fort Drum area rose to 5.7 percent in October from 5.6 percent in October 2015.

The unemployment rate in the Binghamton region fell to 5.1 percent in October from 5.2 percent a year ago, according to figures from the state Labor Department.

The jobless rate in the Ithaca region was 3.6 percent in October, the same as the rate posted in October 2015.

The local-unemployment data isn’t seasonally adjusted, meaning the figures don’t reflect seasonal influences such as holiday hires. 

New York’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 5 percent to 5.2 percent in October, the state Labor Department said.

The unemployment rates are calculated following procedures prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state Labor Department said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com