Jobless rates in Clarion, Venango fall; Forest flat

From staff reports

The tri-county area’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July, for the most part, is down from the previous month, according to the state Department of Labor & Industry.

In addition, July jobless statistics for Venango, Clarion and Forest counties were above both the statewide average of 4.3% and the national average of 3.5%.

For the month:

Venango County’s rate of 4.7% is four-tenths of a percentage point below June and two-tenths of a percentage point below May. In July 2021, the rate was 7.0%.

Clarion County’s rate of 4.5% is five-tenths of a percentage point below June and equals its May rate. In July 2021, the rate was 6.8%.

Forest County’s rate of 6.9% equals its June rate, but is seven-tenths of a percentage point above May. In July 2021, the rate was 8.8%.

Elsewhere in the region

Mercer County’s rate of 4.9% is two-tenths of a percentage point below June and equals its May rate. In July 2021, the rate was 7.2%.

Crawford County’s rate of 4.3% is four-tenths of a percentage point below June and three-tenths of a percentage point below May. In July 2021, the rate was 6.6%.

State, U.S. statistics

The state’s unemployment rate of 4.3% is 2.1% below its July 2021 level; the national rate of 3.5% is down 1.9% over the year.

“The jobs report for July is a testament to Pennsylvania workers’ ability to bounce back from a crisis, provide for their families and contribute to a strong economy that benefits all of us,” Labor & Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier said in a news release.

“As the unemployment rate continues to steadily decline, job growth continues across the board in industries ranging from professional and business services to trade and transportation. This month marks the first time since June 2019 that we have had 4.3% unemployment.”

Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force — the estimated number of residents working or looking for work — was unchanged over the month. The employment count rose 12,000 (to 6,171,000), while resident unemployment declined 12,000 (to 275,000).

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 31,000 over the month, to 5,979,500. Jobs increased from June in nine of the 11 industry supersectors, with the largest volume gain in professional & business services (plus-11,000).

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 203,800, with gains in 10 of the 11 supersectors. Trade, transportation & utilities had the largest 12-month gain, adding 60,500 jobs. Three supersectors — trade, transportation & utilities; information; and professional & business services — were above their pre-pandemic job levels.

Other supersectors include construction; financial activities; manufacturing; leisure & hospitality; mining & logging; and education & health services.

From April 2020 through July 2022, Pennsylvania has recovered about 90% of jobs lost in the first two months of the pandemic period.

Additional information is available at www.dli.pa.gov.

 

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