Unemployment up slightly in Orleans, even though number employed increased
The unemployment rate in Orleans County was at 3.5 percent in October, which is up from the 2.9 percent in October 2022.
However, there are more people employed in the county, 16,600 last month compared to 16,500 in October 2022. The unemployment rate is up because there are more people on unemployment, from 500 to 600 (numbers are rounded to nearest hundred in the state Department of Labor report.)
The 3.5 percent in October is up from the 3.2 percent in September for the county.
The rates for WNY counties for October include:
- Orleans, 3.5 percent
- Genesee, 3.0 percent
- Wyoming, 3.3 percent
- Livingston, 3.2 percent
- Allegany, 3.6 percent
- Chautauqua, 3.7 percent
- Cattaraugus, 3.8 percent
- Erie, 3.8 percent
- Monroe, 3.7 percent
- Niagara, 3.9 percent
Nationally the unemployment rate increased from 3.4 percent in October 2022 to 3.6 percent last month. Statewide it changed from 3.7 to 4.4 percent during those 12 months.
