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ALBANY — The monthly unemployment rate average in the greater Capital Region is up, yet still below pre-pandemic standards overall.
The average was 4.2% in January, a bump from 3.1% in December and 4.0% last year, according to an analysis of non-seasonally-adjusted data from the state Department of Labor Tuesday. Between 2017 and 2020, 5% was the regional January average.
“A lot of businesses, especially retailers, do seasonal hiring for the holidays,” said James Schlett, director of research and communications for the Center for Economic Growth, possibly explaining why December rates were lower than January.
Historically, rural areas within the Capital Region area, especially Fulton and Montgomery counties, face higher unemployment rates, a tabulation which includes labor force numbers. Meanwhile, while the four core counties — Rensselaer, Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady — have lower rates.
Here’s a breakdown of the unemployment rate per county between December and January:
Albany: 3.5%, up from 2.7%
Columbia: 3.3%, up from 2.4%
Fulton: 5.3%, up from 3.9%
Greene: 4.1%, up from 3.2%
Montgomery: 5.5%, up from 4.1%
Rensselaer: 3.6%, up from 2.7%
Saratoga: 3.2%, up from 2.4%
Schenectady: 3.8%, up from 2.9%
Schoharie: 5.7%, up from 3.9%
Warren: 4.6%, up from 3.6%
Washington: 4.1%, up from 3.1%
The core region has a workforce of 440,700 and peripheral counties, 169,100.
Here’s a closer look by municipality (most regional cities and towns aren’t listed by the state):
Clifton Park: 2.6%, up from 2.1%
Saratoga Springs: 3.3%, up from 2.6%
Albany: 4.3%, up from 3.3%
Colonie: 3.0%, up from 2.2%
Schenectady: 4.7%, up from 3.8%
Glenville: 2.9%, up from 2.2%
Guilderland: 2.8%, up from 2.1%
Rotterdam: 3.5%, up from 2.6%
Troy: 4.6%, up from 3.5%
Queensbury: 3.7%, up from 3.0%
Bethlehem: 2.5%, up from 2.0%
The state Department of labor did not respond to requests for comment.
Tyler A. McNeil can be reached at 518-395-3047 or [email protected] Follow him on Facebook at Tyler A. McNeil, Daily Gazette or Twitter @TylerAMcNeil
