Most area counties chalk up job gains

KINGSTON, N.Y. >> Employment totals last month were higher than a year earlier in most local counties, according to new data from the state.

The monthly employment report issued Thursday by the New York Department of Labor showed there were 64,500 nonfarm jobs in Ulster County in December 2019, which was 600, or 0.9 percent, more than in December 2018. The Dutchess-Putnam Metropolitan Division, which comprises all of both counties, gained 1,000 nonfarm jobs, an increase of 0.7 percent, during the same period to reach a total of 152,100.

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

Sullivan County, where employment has grown steadily since the Resorts World Catskills casino opened nearly two years ago, had its nonfarm employment jump by 5.9 percent from December 2018 to December 2019, to reach a total of 30,500, the labor office said.

Columbia County’s nonfarm job total in December 2019 was 22,300, unchanged from a year earlier. Greene County’s total last month was 16,000, a gain of 300, or 1.9 percent, from December 2018.

Elsewhere in the region from December 2018 to December 2019, the labor department said:

• The Orange-Rockland-Westchester Metropolitan Division lost 500 nonfarm jobs, or 0.1 percent, to finish the period at 729,500.

• Delaware County’s nonfarm job total fell by 100, or 0.6 percent, to 15,400.

In the private sector alone from December 2018 to December 2019, the department said:

• Ulster County added 600 jobs, or 1.2 percent.

• The Dutchess-Putnam Metropolitan Division gained 900 jobs, or 0.7 percent.

• The Orange-Rockland-Westchester Metropolitan Division lost 900 jobs, or 0.1 percent.

The statewide unemployment rate in December 2019 was 4 percent, unchanged from a month earlier and up a tick from the 3.9 percent rate of December 2018.