New York Unemployment Rate Below US Average

Unemployment has dropped more swiftly in New York than in the USA as a whole over the past 12 months, according to new data from the Department of Labor.

In February-March 2016, the statewide unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.8 percent. Back in March 2015, it was 5.6 percent. New York state outside of New York City is doing even better: an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent last month compared to 5.2 percent in March a year ago.

The unemployment rate in the United States last month was 5.0 percent, down from 5.5 percent in March 2015.

Good news nationwide was that jobless claims fell by 13,000 to 253,000 for the week ended April 9, matching the figure's lowest level since 1973.

However, the number of unemployed New Yorkers increased from 472,500 in February to 475,400 in March 2016.

The State’s unemployment rate is calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, using a statistical regression model that primarily uses the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month. Data are preliminary and subject to change, based on standard procedures outlined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Look for more local employment opportunities in the Jobs section on Yorktown-Somers Patch.