CNY unemployment rates decline in August compared to a year ago

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

The jobless rate in the Syracuse area was 5.0 percent in August, down from the 5.8 percent figure posted in August 2014.

The unemployment rate in the Utica–Rome region declined to 4.9 percent in August from 5.7 percent in the year-earlier period.

The jobless rate in the Watertown–Fort Drum area fell to 5.7 percent in August from 6.4 percent in August 2014.

The unemployment rate in the Binghamton region dipped to 5.4 percent in August from 6.2 percent a year ago, according to figures from the state Labor Department.

The jobless rate in the Ithaca region was 4.1 percent in August, off from 4.5 percent in August 2014.

Syracuse–area private-sector employers added 300 jobs in the last year, offset by a decline of 300 government positions in the same period. So, the region’s total number of jobs was unchanged at 314,100. That’s according to the latest monthly employment report, for August, which the New York State Department of Labor issued Sept. 17.

Outside the Syracuse area, the Utica–Rome, and Ithaca regions gained jobs between August 2014 and this past August. The Binghamton and Watertown–Fort Drum areas lost jobs in that same 12-month period.

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