The State Labor Department today released local area unemployment rates for July 2012. 

Over the past year, the state had an increase in the labor force as more New Yorkers gained confidence in the economy.  The percentage of job seekers re-entering the labor force, or entering the labor force for the first time, increased 9.8% from July 2011 to July 2012.  By comparison, the nation showed a 0.4% increase during the same period.   

Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate for New York and every other state, are based on models specified by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The models are based, in part, on the results of a telephonic and door-to-door monthly federal survey of 3,100 households (out of more than 7 million) in New York State.  The survey has an average response rate between 2,000 and 2,500 households. 

As reported last week, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.1% in July 2012.  

Local Area Unemployment Rates* (%), July 2011 and July 2012

(Not seasonally adjusted; *Data are preliminary and subject to change)

 

The data above are not seasonally adjusted, which means they reflect seasonal influences (e.g. holiday and summer hires). Therefore, the most valid comparisons with this type of data are year-to-year comparisons of the same month; for example, July 2011 versus July 2012.

 

Unemployment rate highlights in July 2012:

 

• The counties in New York State with the lowest unemployment rates include:

o   Hamilton County (5.3%)

o   Tompkins County (7.0%)

o   Yates County (7.0%)

o   Putnam County (7.1%)

o   Ontario County (7.2%)

o   Saratoga County (7.2%)

 

• The counties in New York State with the highest unemployment rates include:

o   Bronx County (13.9%)

o   Orleans County (11.3%)

o   St. Lawrence County (11.1%)

o   Kings County (11.0%)

o   Fulton County (10.9%)

o   Montgomery County (10.9%)

 

Note: Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  These are the most up-to-date estimates of persons employed and unemployed by place of residence.  Estimates are available for New York State, labor market regions, metropolitan areas, counties, and municipalities of at least 25,000.

See State and Area Unemployment Rates (opens in new window)

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See Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet (opens in new window)