Regional unemployment rates show modest increases in October

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry on Tuesday released regional unemployment data for October.

Greater Philadelphia

Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties are included in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Statistical Area, or MSA — which includes the city of Philadelphia and surrounding counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington MSA held steady in October at 3.7%, Labor & Industry reported Tuesday. The MSA’s unemployment rate for the same period in 2022 was 4.0%.

Broken down to the county level, the region experienced slight increases in the unemployment rates.

• Chester County’s unemployment rate was 2.9% in October, up three-tenths of a percentage point from September, and up two-tenths of a percentage point from October 2022.

• Montgomery County’s rate for October was 3.0%, up two-tenths of a percentage point from September and up one-tenth of a percentage point from October 2022.

• Delaware County’s rate was 3.5% in October, up three-tenths of a percentage point from September and down two-tenths of a percentage point from October 2022.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs in the Philadelphia MSA increased 2,200 from September to its 17th consecutive record high of 3,129,900 in October.

Berks County

Berks, which is included in the Reading MSA, saw a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October of 3.8%, an increase of one-tenth of a percentage point from September. The MSA’s unemployment rate for the same period in 2022 was 4.3%.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs in the Reading MSA were essentially unchanged from September at 180,100 in October.

Pennsylvania numbers

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was unchanged from September, remaining at the record low of 3.4% in October, according to Labor & Industry. The unemployment rate for Pennsylvania was one full percentage point below its October 2022 level.

Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were down 4,700 over the month to 6,168,100 — ending a nine month string of nonfarm jobs increases and all-time high levels.

Around the state

Among the state’s 67 counties, Chester County had the fourth lowest October unemployment rate, tied with Montour County.

Montgomery was sixth lowest, tied with Cumberland and Franklin counties.

Delaware was tied with Snyder County for 15th lowest.

Berks had the 26th lowest October unemployment rate, tied with Bedford and Lycoming counties.

Pennsylvania’s unemployment data for November will be released by the Department of Labor & Industry on Dec. 22, while specific county and municipal data will be released on Jan. 3.