Unemployment rates drop in midstate, but not because of more jobs

(Harrisburg) — Employment in the midstate barely budged last month, even as unemployment rates slid downward in some regions, and the lower rates were caused by a decrease in people looking for jobs – not a significant increase in those actually working.

In some regions, employment really jumped – like Harrisburg-Carlisle, which added 700 workers.

But the gains were offset by drops in places like Reading, where payrolls shrunk by 900 people.

Collectively, midstate communities added 100 jobs in the month, according to data from the state Department of Labor and Industry.

In the four micropolitan areas in central Pennsylvania – Lewisburg, Pottsville, Selinsgrove and Sunbury – the unemployment rate fell, by as much as point four percent.

But only one – Selinsgrove – added jobs.

The labor force dropped in all of the micropolitan areas, adding up to 500 people leaving the workforce.

Meanwhile, Gettysburg and Lancaster both still have the lowest unemployment rates in the midstate at four point two percent.

The monthly numbers are only estimates and subject to changes as more detailed data becomes available.

Metropolitan areas
Chambersburg – rate unchanged at 4.8, labor force up 100, employment unchanged
Gettysburg – rate down .1 to 4.2, labor force down 300, employment down 200
Harrisburg – rate unchanged at 4.4, labor force up 600, employment up 700
Lancaster – rate unchanged at 4.2, labor force unchanged, employment unchanged
Lebanon – rate unchanged at 4.6, labor force down 100, employment down 100
Reading – rate unchanged at 5.0, labor force down 1,000, employment down by 900
York Hanover – rate unchanged at 4.8, labor foce up 500, employment up 500

Micropolitan areas

Lewisburg – rate down .1 to 4.7, labor force down 100, employment the same
Pottsville – rate down .4 to 6.1, labor force down 100, employment up 300
Selinsgrove – rate down .2 to 4.7, labor force down 100 employment down 100
Sunbury – rate down .4 to 5.8, labor force down 200 employment down 100

Labor market areas
Juniata – rate down .2 to 5.0, labor force unchanged, employment unchanged