Orleans unemployment rate fell in March

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2013 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Orleans County continues to reduce its unemployment rate, although it is still among the highest in the state.

The state Department of Labor reported the county’s unemployment rate fell to 10.4 percent in March, which was down from 11.2 percent in February and 12.3 percent in January.

Orleans is one of 14 counties with a double-digit unemployment rate in March. Lewis County in northern New York has the highest unemployment rate at 12.3 percent while Tompkins County has the lowest, 5.3 percent. State-wide the rate was 8.2 percent in March.

Other nearby rural counties have a better jobs picture. Genesee had an 8.0 rate, while Livingston was listed at 9.1 and Wyoming, 9.7 percent.

The DOL reported that 17,100 people were working in Orleans in March, while 2,100 were out of work and looking for a job.