Orleans sees biggest unemployment drop outside NYC in past year
The unemployment rate in Orleans County for June fell to 6.1 percent, down a full 1.0 percent from the 7.1 in June 2014.
That drop was biggest reduction in New York State outside of New York City, according to data from the State Department of Labor.
The 6.1 percent rate is slightly above the 6.0 percent rate in Orleans for May. In June, the county had 17,400 people working, up from 16,900 in June 2014. The number of people on unemployment dropped from 1,300 to 1,100 during that time, according to the Department of Labor.
Nationally the unemployment rate dropped from 6.3 percent in June 2014 to 5.5 percent last month. In New York, the state rate fell from 6.2 percent to 5.3 percent during that year.
In Western New York, Orleans has the highest unemployment rate. Other rates for June include: Genesee, 4.5 percent; Chautauqua, 6.0; Cattaraugus, 5.8; Erie, 5.2; Niagara, 5.6; Wyoming, 4.9; Monroe, 5.1; and Livingston, 5.3.
To see more on the Department of Labor report, visit www.labor.ny.gov.