Unemployment Rates Improve in RVC

Unemployment rates in Rockville Centre have dropped over the past year, from 6.1 to 5.4 percent, according to statistics released today by the New York State Department of Labor. That equates into about 85 fewer unemployed village residents.

Rockville Centre's unemployment rate is below Nassau County's, which stands at 6.8 percent as of August — or nearly 48,000 unemployed people. That number is down compared to this time last year, when the unemployment rate in the county was 7 percent.

According to labor department statistics, Long Island private sector jobs grew last month by more than 11,000, or 1.1 percent, which is the fastest pace of growth since September 2007.

"It seems low, but that's the trend we've had from year to year," said Gary Huth, regional analyst for the state Department of Labor. "After a deep hole, we need to be stronger to get out of that hole." 

Huth added that Nassau County is a service economy, and tends to have lower unemployment rates than a manufacturing one.

"The numbers are a reflection of stability in the overall labor market," he said. "Sure, there are some problems. But the economy is more stable. The population is better educated and somewhat older [than elsewhere in the state]."

Jobs gains were made in trade, transportation and utilities, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality, the study said. Losses were seen in manufacturing, financial activities, natural resources, mining and construction, and professional and business services. The strongest gains were made in the health care field, as well as wholesale and retail trade.

The public sector, however, lost 2,500 jobs over the past year.

 The Town of Hempstead unemployment rate for August was 7.1 percent, a drop from 7.4 percent the year prior. The unemployment rate had been as low as 6.7 percent in April.