Joblessness among residents in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metro area slipped modestly in October, falling one tenth of a percentage point to 9.5 percent.
The region's unemployment remained the highest among the state's 14 metro areas. The marginal movement in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate frustrated labor market observers. But, behind the unemployment rate were positive signs. The number of jobs in the region was up 5,700 over the same time in 2011, according to establishment data - a tally of the number of jobs within the metro area. Also, more than 9,000 people joined the labor force over the last 12 months, a sign that more people were looking for work and felt more confident they would find it.
The numbers, combined with other economic indicators, has Dana Harris, Ph.D., professor of business in Keystone College in La Plume, more confident in the economic improvement than at any point since the recession.
"The unemployment rate is hovering high," she said. "But it is a slight decrease, and with personal income risings, the housing market rebound, and consumer confidence at a high, there is a growing sense of optimism."
On a county level, Lackawanna's unemployment rate was 8.7 percent, Luzerne was at 9.5 percent and Wyoming was at 10.1 percent. Pennsylvania's statewide unemployment was 8.1 percent, a bit higher than the U.S. October unemployment of 7.9 percent.
The seasonally adjusted data show that more people were working in October, with the ranks of the employed growing 2,600 in October alone. That improvement has had a limited effect on the unemployment rate, however. The number of unemployed, 27,600, was unchanged from the previous month. But the labor force, those working or looking for work, continued to expand in October. Over the year, for example, the labor force grew by 9,200, faster than the additional jobs being created.
Satyajit Ghosh, Ph.D., professor of economics and finance at the University of Scranton, calculated what the region's unemployment rate would have been if the labor force remained what it was in October 2011. Under that scenario he calculated that region's unemployment rate would have been 6.5 percent.
"Our job growth seems like it is anemic but we need to look at it in the proper perspective," he said. "A growing labor force is an expected part of a recovery."
Among the most improved job sectors over the last year was the catch-all professional and business services with 1,500 new jobs. Leisure and hospitality added 1,300 jobs.
Also, the closely watched construction/mining and manufacturing sectors each added 800 jobs over the year. Transportation/warehousing/utilities added 800. No sector lost more than 200 jobs in October compared to same month a year ago
While Dr. Ghosh dismisses rankings as not very meaningful, the region's unwanted distinction as having the state's highest unemployment irks him.
"I know it is a relative ranking," Dr. Ghosh said. "Someone has to be first and someone has to be last. I don't want to be last."
Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com