CNY unemployment rates rise compared to last month, but are down from a year ago

Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Binghamton, Utica-Rome, and Ithaca metro areas rose in January compared to December but are down from a year ago, according to the latest New York State Department of Labor data released March 11. 

The jobless rate in the Syracuse area was 7.4 percent in January, up from 6.5 percent in December but below the 9.3 percent posted in January 2013. The unemployment rate in the Utica–Rome region was 7.9 percent in January, up from 6.8 percent in December, but down from 9.8 percent in the year-ago period.

The unemployment rate in the Binghamton region was 8.1 percent in January, higher than 6.9 percent in December, but below the 9.7 percent posted a year ago, according to figures from the state Labor Department.

The jobless rate in the Ithaca area came in at 5 percent in January, up from 4 percent in December, but off from the 6.3 percent rate in January 2013.

The 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 New York counties with the highest unemployment rates in January include Lewis at 10.2 percent and Jefferson at 10 percent. But, Bronx County had the state’s highest jobless rate in January at 11.2 percent. Hamilton County was also among the areas with the highest rates at 9.8 percent.

At 5 percent, Tompkins County had the lowest unemployment rate in New York during January, the state Labor Department said.                      

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com