Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Binghamton, Utica–Rome, Ithaca, and Watertown–Fort Drum metro areas fell in December, 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 4.8 percent in December, down from 5.5 percent in December 2014.
The unemployment rate in the Utica–Rome region fell to 5 percent in December, down from the 5.9 percent figure posted in the year-earlier period.
The jobless rate in the Watertown–Fort Drum area was 6.8 percent in December, down from 7.5 percent in December 2014.
The unemployment rate in the Binghamton region fell to 5.4 percent in December from 6 percent a year ago, according to figures from the state Labor Department.
The jobless rate in the Ithaca region was 3.4 percent in December, down from the 3.7 percent rate in December 2014.
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