Modest job gains in most area counties

KINGSTON, N.Y. » Most of the Mid-Hudson and Catskills experienced modest job growth during the 12-month period ending Sept. 31, new state statistics show.

Ulster County added 400 nonfarm jobs, a gain of 0.6 percent, during the period, while the Dutchess-Putnam Metropolitan Division, which comprises all of both counties, picked up 500 nonfarm jobs, a 0.3 percent jump, according to data provided Thursday by the state Department of Labor.

Nonfarm jobs include all positions in the private and public sectors, with the exception of those in agriculture.

The nonfarm job totals in Ulster County and the Dutchess-Putnam region at the end of September were 62,700 and 145,700, respectively, the labor department said.

Greene County gained 200 nonfarm jobs, a 1.3 percent increase, in the September-to-September period, to reach a total of 15,200, the department said. Columbia County also gained 200 nonfarm jobs, or 0.9 percent, to reach a total of 22,200.

Elsewhere in the region from September 2016 to September 2017, the state labor office said:

• Sullivan County gained 700 nonfarm jobs, or 2.6 percent, to reach 27,900.

•The Orange-RocklandWest chester Metropolitan Division added 6,200 nonfarm jobs, or 0.9 percent, to finish the period at 715,600.

• Delaware County’s nonfarm job total held steady at 15,300.

In the private sector alone from September 2016 to September 2017, the department said:

• Ulster County added 600 jobs, or 1.2 percent.

• The Dutchess-Putnam Metropolitan Division gained 400 jobs, or 0.3 percent.

•The Orange-RocklandWest chester Metropolitan Division added 5,800 jobs, or 1 percent.

The state does not provide private-sector employment data for individual rural counties.

The statewide unemployment rate in September 2017 was 4.9 percent, compared to 4.8 percent the month before and 4.9 percent in September 2016, the Department of Labor said.