Report: Most CNY region unemployment rates remained unchanged at low levels in April

Unemployment rates in the Syracuse (4.7 percent), Utica–Rome (5 percent), Binghamton (5.2 percent), and Watertown–Fort Drum (6.5) areas remained unchanged at relatively low levels in April 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 Ithaca region, easily the lowest in Central New York, declined further in April to 3.8 percent, from 3.9 percent a year prior.

The Elmira area also saw its unemployment rate dip in April to 5.4 percent from 5.6 percent 12 months ago.

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