Rochester Business Journal

The Rochester area economy in March again showed mixed signals, with both an increase in the number of jobs and a rise in the unemployment rate, the state Department of Labor reported.

The jobless rate was 8 percent in March, down from 8.6 percent in February, but up from 7.9 percent a year ago. The metro area includes Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne counties.

Data in the report are not seasonally adjusted. The most valid comparison with this type of data are year-to-year comparisons of the same month, the Labor Department noted.

The number of unemployed in Rochester was 42,100, down from 44,800 in February, but up from 40,700 a year ago. Some 483,300 people were employed here last month, compared with 478,400 in February and 477,900 a year ago.

Last week the Department of Labor reported an increase in the number of private-sector and non-farm jobs here in March. The area ranked fourth among regions statewide in terms of percentage of job growth in March.

Area unemployment rates, not seasonally adjusted were:

• Monroe County—7.6 percent, down from 8.1 percent in February, but up from 7.4 percent a year ago;
• Genesee County—8.5 percent, compared with 9.3 percent in February and 8.3 percent in March 2011;
• Livingston County—9.2 percent, down from 9.7 percent in February, but up from 8.8 percent a year ago;
• Ontario County—8.3 percent, down from 8.9 percent in February, but up from 8.1 percent a year ago;
• Orleans County—10.1 percent, compared with 10.7 percent in February and 10 percent in March 2011; and
• Wayne County—9.2 percent, down from 9.7 percent in February, but unchanged from a year ago.

Statewide, the unemployment rate was 8.7 percent in March, compared with 9.2 percent in February and 8.2 percent in March 2011. Some 829,200 people were unemployed statewide last month, compared with 872,800 in February and 773,200 in March 2011.

The jobless rate in Buffalo was 8.6 percent last month, down from 9.1 percent in February, but up from 8.3 percent a year ago. The Syracuse area unemployment rate was 8.7 percent in March, compared with 9.4 percent in February and 8.5 percent a year ago.

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