The New York State Department of Labor released preliminary local area unemployment rates for April, showing that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2%.
The data, calculated using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics methods, includes county-level and metro area rates derived from the Current Population Survey and other labor force models. These estimates are not seasonally adjusted, making year-over-year comparisons the most reliable.
Rates for April 2025 reflect continued stability in New York’s labor market, with variations across counties attributed to seasonal factors and new regression-based modeling methods. The department emphasized that the methodology now incorporates “real-time” benchmarking, which reduces the scale of end-of-year revisions and improves responsiveness to major economic events.
Local labor force data, including employment and unemployment counts, are updated monthly and may be revised as more information becomes available. The department noted that while unemployment estimates reflect those actively seeking work, the number of unemployment insurance beneficiaries does not always align, as not all job seekers qualify for benefits.
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