The April rate of 7.7 percent is up slightly over last April's 7.5 percent, but down from March's 8.5 percent.
View full sizeDeji Ayoade (right), of Queens, who has been out of work for six months, looks over a list of available jobs as Jaclyn Coughlan (center), a recruitment specialist with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, speaks to another job applicant during a job fair Tuesday sponsored by The New York Society for Ethical Culture, in New York City.
Syracuse, NY -- The unemployment rate in the Syracuse area hit 7.7 percent in April, the highest for any April on record, the state Department of Labor said Thursday. The previous record high for an April was set last year, when it was 7.5 percent.
Unemployment was even higher in March, at 8.5 percent. But seasonal factors prevent a direct comparison with April's unemployment rate. There were 25,300 people unemployed in Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties in April, out of a total labor force of 329,400.
The area had 1,900 fewer jobs than it did in April of last year. The biggest loss (1,300) came in government employment. The private sector lost 600 jobs.
Nevertheless, Labor Department economist Roger Evans said the report contained evidence that the area's economy is pulling out of the recession.
Retailers employed 300 more people last month, an indication people are spending more, he said. "It's up only 300 jobs, but it's turning the corner," he said.
Contact Rick Moriarty at rmoriarty@syracuse.com or (315) 470-3148.