Deep dive into midstate unemployment numbers: it’s complicated

(Harrisburg) — The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has edged up in several areas of the midstate, following an increase in the statewide rate, andthe latest data bucks a trend that stretches back at least a year.

The increases stretch from .1% in Pottsville, York, and Lancaster to .4% in Gettysburg.

The unemployment rate in just two areas fell from June to July: Harrisburg and Juniata.Meanwhile, Lebanon now joins Lancaster with the lowest unemployment rate in central Pennsylvania at 4.6%.

And year-to-year comparisons show vast gains made across the midstate, from a 1.3% drop in Gettysburg to a 2.2% plummet in Sunbury.

But some experts have pointed out the labor force has shrunk significantly in that time as well.

14,900 fewer people were in July’s labor force in the midstate compared to a year ago.

State Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway has said some people are voluntarily leaving work, to retire, go back to school, or because their income is no longer needed.

The full results are below:

Harrisburg-Carlisle – down .1 to 4.8, 1.8 from previous year, seasonally adjusted labor force is 3,100 lower than July 2013
Lancaster – up .1 to 4.6, down 1.6 from previous year, labor force down 3,300 from July 2013
Lebanon – even at 4.6, down 1.4 for year, labor force down 400
York-Hanover – up .1 to 5.3, down 1.7 for year, labor force down 3,900
Sunbury – up .3 to 6.3, down 2.2 for year, labor force down 100
Gettysburg – up .4 to 4.6, down 1.3 for year, labor force down 900
Chambersburg – up .3 to 4.9, down 1.4 for year, labor force down 1,900
Pottsville – up .1 to 6.6, down 2.2 for year, labor force down 1,000
Selinsgrove – even at 5.4, down 2.0 for year, labor force down 100
Juniata – down .1 to 5.2, down 1.9 for year, labor force down 200
Lewisburg – up .2 to 5.8, down 1.9 for year, labor force even