Report: CNY region unemployment rates rose in February compared to a year ago

Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Binghamton, Watertown–Fort Drum, and Ithaca regions increased in February compared to a year ago.

The figures are part of the latest New York State Department of Labor data released Tuesday.

The jobless rate in the Syracuse area rose to 5.7 percent last month from 5.5 percent in February 2016.

The unemployment rate in the Utica–Rome region increased to 5.9 percent in February, compared to 5.8 percent in the year-earlier period.

The jobless rate in the Watertown–Fort Drum area climbed to 8 percent last month from 7.5 percent in February 2016.

The unemployment rate in the Binghamton region rose to 6.3 percent in February from 6.1 percent a year ago, according to figures from the state Labor Department.

The jobless rate in the Ithaca region was 4.4 percent in February, up from the 4.3 percent figure posted in February 2016.

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