Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Binghamton, Watertown–Fort Drum, and Ithaca regions all rose in June compared to a year ago.
Bucking the trend, the jobless rate in the Elmira region declined slightly compared to the same month in 2016.
The figures are part of the latest New York State Department of Labor data released Tuesday.
(Sponsored)

Insurance Rates: What is really going on with these premiums and why they seem to be increasing!
This is a question we continuously get asked at CH Insurance. Clients with a good loss history, timely payments, excellent credit, and very good policies and procedures. All across the

Year-End Benefits Check: Is Your Team Getting the BOOST They Deserve for 2026?
As we close out 2025 and finalize employee benefits for the coming year, there’s one question every small to medium-sized business owner should ask: Are your employees truly understanding—and maximizing—the
The jobless rate in the Syracuse area was 5.0 percent in June, up from 4.7 percent in June 2016.
The unemployment rate in the Utica–Rome region was 4.9 percent in June, up from 4.6 percent in the year-earlier period.
The jobless rate in the Watertown–Fort Drum area rose to 5.4 percent in June from 5.2 percent a year ago.
The unemployment rate in the Binghamton region was 5.4 percent in June, up 0.2 percent from June 2016, according to figures from the state Labor Department.
The jobless rate in the Ithaca region climbed to 4.9 percent in June from 4.6 percent in June 2016.
Going against the local trend, the unemployment rate in the Elmira region fell to 5.4 percent in June, down from 5.5 percent in the year-earlier period.
The local-unemployment data isn’t seasonally adjusted, meaning the figures don’t reflect seasonal influences such as holiday hires.
The unemployment rates are calculated following procedures prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state Labor Department said.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com


