CNY region unemployment rates decline in July from a year ago

Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Binghamton, Utica–Rome, Ithaca, and Watertown–Fort Drum metro areas fell in July, compared to a year prior, according to the latest New York State Department of Labor data released Tuesday.

The jobless rate in the Syracuse area was 4.7 percent in July, down from 5.5 percent in July 2015.

The unemployment rate in the Utica–Rome region dipped to 4.5 percent in July from 5.4 percent in the year-earlier period.

The jobless rate in the Watertown–Fort Drum area declined to 5.2 percent in July from 6.0 percent in July 2015.

The unemployment rate in the Binghamton region fell to 5.2 percent in July from 5.9 percent a year ago, according to figures from the state Labor Department.

The jobless rate in the Ithaca region was 4.0 percent in July, down from the 4.6 percent rate in July 2015.

The local-unemployment data isn’t seasonally adjusted, meaning the figures don’t 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.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com