Unemployment rate continues to be low in Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 January 2025 at 8:08 pm

The unemployment rate for Orleans County was at 3.5 percent in November, which continues a low rate throughout much of 2024.

The state Department of Labor reported the rate last week. The county has a labor force of 17,200 with 16,600 working and 600 on unemployment, according to the DOL.

That is below the state unemployment rate of 4.2 percent. The DOL reports a labor force of 9,643,600 with 9,239,500 working and 404,100 unemployed.

Among WNY counties, the unemployment rates for November include:

Orleans, 3.5 percent
Genesee, 3.0 percent
Wyoming, 3.4 percent
Livingston, 3.1 percent
Monroe, 3.4 percent
Niagara, 3.7 percent
Erie, 3.6 percent
Chautauqua, 3.8 percent
Cattaraugus, 3.7 percent
Allegany, 3.6 percent

Looking at the data going back 25 years in Orleans County, the unemployment rate is down significantly.

In November 2014 – 6.8 percent unemployment: labor force of 17,800 with 16,600 working and 1,200 unemployed
In November 2009 – 10.1 percent unemployed: labor force of 19,200 with 17,300 working and 1,900 unemployed
In November 2004 – 5.5 percent unemployed: labor force 19,800 with 18,700 working and 1,100 unemployed
In November 1999 – 4.6 percent unemployed: labor force of 21,100 with 20,100 employed and 1,000 unemployed