CNY region unemployment rates decline in May compared to a year ago

Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Binghamton, Utica–Rome, Ithaca, and Watertown–Fort Drum metro areas fell in May, compared to 12 months ago, according to the latest New York State Department of Labor data released Tuesday.

The jobless rate in the Syracuse area was 4.3 percent in May, down from 5.5 percent in May 2015.

The unemployment rate in the Utica–Rome region was 4.4 percent in May, down from 5.5 percent in the year-earlier period.

The jobless rate in the Watertown–Fort Drum area fell to 5.2 percent last month, from 6.3 percent in May 2015.

The unemployment rate in the Binghamton region declined to 4.7 percent in May from 5.8 percent a year ago, according to figures from the state Labor Department.

The jobless rate in the Ithaca region was 3.4 percent last month, down from the 4.1 percent rate in May 2015.

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