Unemployment rate climbs in nearly every midstate region

(Harrisburg) — The latest numbers from the commonwealth show the unemployment rate rising in many midstate areas for the second straight month.Not a single region saw its jobless rate fall in August.

For eight out of the 11 Central Pennsylvania regions surveyed every month by the state Department of Labor and Industry, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped in August.

In July, the jobless rate increased in just six areas.

Juniata County’s unemployment rate saw the greatest increase — three tenths of a percent — though the rate itself is still in the middle of the pack.

The unemployment rates rose even as the number of people willing and able to work remains at low levels.

In York Hanover, 4,100 fewer people were in the labor force compared to August 2013.

In total, the midstate’s labor force is about 16,800 people smaller than a year ago.

Sunbury has the highest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in central Pennsylvania, at six point three percent.

Lancaster maintains its hold on the lowest rate with four point six percent of those in the labor force looking for work.

Economists consider the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate more accurate because it accounts for the usual swings in employment.