Mass. Shows Gains, Drops, in Unemployment in Swampscott and Throughout State

By CHARLENE ARSENAULT (Patch Staff)

Depending on the county, Massachusetts showed both drops in unemployment in four areas, but increases in 14 areas, and stable in six others, reported the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development on Tuesday.

According to data from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the four areas where unadjusted unemployment rates dropped in July were Barnstable, Nantucket, Great Barrington and Vineyard Haven.

Three of the 15 areas for which job estimates are published recorded seasonal job gains in July, with gains in the Barnstable, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, and Pittsfield areas. Seasonal losses occurred in the remaining twelve areas, said the announcement.

Compared to July 2014, unemployment rates are down in all labor markets measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 7,200 job gain in July and an over the year gain of 69,300 jobs.

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According to the announcement, in order to compare the statewide rate to local unemployment rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the statewide unadjusted unemployment rate for July remained at 4.9 percent.

Last week, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported the statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 percent for the month of July. The unemployment rate is down 1.0 percent over the year.