Local Unemployment Rates Ticked Up To 3 Percent In The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — While unemployment remained very low in the Hudson Valley, local unemployment rates rose slightly in the past year in the designated metro areas, according to the latest reports from the New York State Department of Labor.

• Dutchess-Putnam rose to 3.1 from 2.8 percent
• Kingston rose to 3.2 from 2.8 percent
• Orange-Rockland-Westchester rose to 3.2 from 2.8 percent

Other job statistics were positive.

The number of private sector jobs in New York increased, as it has over the past three decades.

The statewide unemployment rate increased by a tenth of a percentage point, from 3.9 percent in August to 4.0 percent in September — however, the statewide labor force participation rate increased very slightly, from 61.5 percent to 61.6 percent, matching its highest level in a decade.

Job growth was primarily in the health, education and leisure & hospitality sectors. The government sector includes public education and public health services.

Job growth was biggest in New York City, a boon also to its suburbs.

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.