Franklin County jobless rate higher than a year ago
(Chambersburg) — The unemployment rate in Franklin County is about a percentage point higher than it was a year ago with the start of the school year.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the county was 5.5 percent in September, nearly a point higher than a year ago and only slightly less than August’s rate. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry released the county jobless rates on Tuesday.
Unemployment rates across Pennsylvania ranged from 4.1 percent in Chester County to 9 percent in Forest County.
Franklin County’s rate was lower than the state average (5.7 percent) and higher than the national average (5 percent).
County employers have added about 2,500 jobs during the past year. Manufacturers added 300 jobs and service employers added another 2,200 jobs. The September data does not include recent layoffs at Manitowoc Cranes in Shady Grove, one of the largest manufacturers in the county.
Local warehouses currently are hiring people to pull orders for the holiday season, the busiest time of the year.
The 400 jobs gained in September came at the change of season. Local government added 600 jobs as public schools began their new academic year. Also with the end of summer, the leisure and hospitality sector shed 300 jobs and currently employ about 5,000. The non-farm job gains and losses are reported by local employers and are seasonally unadjusted.
Retailers and warehousing/transportation employ about 22 percent of the 62,400 workers in the county. Health/private education employ 16 percent, manufacturing 15 percent and governments (including schools) 13 percent.
Franklin County was tied with Allegheny County for the 18th lowest unemployment rate among Pennsylvania’s 67 counties in September. Unemployment rates and rankings of neighboring counties were: Fulton (6.8 percent, tied at 45th); Huntingdon (7.7 percent, t-60th); Juniata (5.9 percent, t-25th); Perry (5.2 percent, 15th ); Cumberland (4.4 percent, t-fourth); and Adams (4.2 percent, second).
Franklin County’s monthly unemployment rate had dropped to a low of 3.8 percent in December 2015 from a peak of 10 percent in February 2010. Since December the jobless rate has steadily increased.
This article is part of a content-sharing partnership between WITF and Public Opinion Online.
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