The state Department of Labor and Industry yesterday released the newest unemployment figures. Seasonally adjusted unemployment in April rose two-tenths of a percent in Indiana County, to 6.3 percent. State unemployment rose one-tenths of a percentage point, to 4.9 percent. Indiana County tied five other counties for 53rd among the state’s 67 counties.
Among our neighbors, Westmoreland County had the lowest rate, at 5.4 percent. Jefferson was at 6.0 percent; Clearfield was at 6.3; Cambria at 6.2; and Armstrong was at 6.5 percent. The best rate in the state was 3.8 percent in Adams, Chester, and Lancaster counties. The worst was 8.1 percent in Cameron County.
There were 600 fewer jobs in Indiana County in April of this year compared to the year before, when adjusted for seasonal factors. Unadjusted, the number is 500 fewer people working this year than last.
