Economy
Unemployment Rate

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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

What does this measure?

Unemployed individuals are those without jobs who are able, available and actively seeking work. The unemployment rate is the number of unemployed people as a percentage of the total labor force (the total number of employed and unemployed individuals 16 or older and not living in prisons, mental hospitals or nursing homes).

Why is this important?

Unemployment rates are a relatively timely indicator of current local economic conditions, particularly recent changes in the employment landscape that reflect the overall health of the economy.

How is our region performing?

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing shutdowns increased the unemployment rate for the 9-county Rochester region in 2020 but in 2021 the rate dropped to 4.9%, up 0.9% from 2019. The region's 2021 rate was similar to the national level and slightly lower than the state levels (5.3% and 6.9%, respectively). Throughout the decade, the region has generally fared somewhat better than New York State and the nation.

Monroe and Orleans had the highest unemployment rates in the region both at 5.2% in 2021, while Yates had the lowest unemployment rate in the region at 3.8% followed by Genesee, Livingston, and Ontario all at 4.3%. The City of Rochester unemployment rate in 2021 (8%) declined from a high of 12.1% in 2020.

Notes about the data

The unemployment rate represents only those who are actively seeking employment and does not account for under-employment or discouraged workers who have stopped looking for jobs. Also, county-level estimates are based on relatively small samples, and the true number of unemployed residents may therefore vary considerably from the estimate. The rates reported here are averages of monthly rates.

Unemployment Rate
2000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
NYS4.5%4.9%6.2%6.4%5.8%5.0%4.5%4.4%5.4%8.4%8.7%8.3%8.6%7.8%6.3%5.2%4.9%4.6%4.1%3.8%9.9%6.9%
NYS (excluding NYC)3.7%4.1%5.0%5.2%5.0%4.5%4.3%4.2%5.3%7.8%8.1%7.8%8.0%7.1%5.7%5.0%4.7%4.7%4.1%3.8%7.9%4.8%
Region3.7%4.2%5.5%5.6%5.4%4.7%4.5%4.4%5.5%8.0%8.3%7.8%8.1%7.2%5.9%5.2%4.8%4.9%4.2%4.0%7.8%4.9%
Monroe3.5%4.1%5.4%5.6%5.3%4.6%4.3%4.3%5.4%8.0%8.2%7.7%8.0%7.2%5.8%5.1%4.8%4.9%4.2%4.0%8.2%5.2%
Surrounding Counties3.9%4.4%5.7%5.8%5.6%4.9%4.7%4.6%5.6%8.1%8.4%8.0%8.2%7.3%5.9%5.2%4.9%4.9%4.2%3.9%7.1%4.4%
Genesee3.9%4.3%5.3%5.6%5.6%4.8%4.6%4.5%5.5%7.8%8.2%7.9%8.0%7.0%5.6%5.0%4.7%4.7%4.1%3.8%7.1%4.3%
Livingston4.0%4.4%5.8%6.1%5.9%5.0%4.8%4.8%5.9%8.5%8.2%7.7%7.9%7.2%5.8%5.3%5.0%5.0%4.3%4.1%6.8%4.3%
Ontario3.5%4.0%5.2%5.2%5.0%4.5%4.4%4.1%5.1%7.4%7.6%7.1%7.4%6.5%5.3%4.8%4.4%4.5%3.9%3.7%6.9%4.3%
Orleans4.6%5.1%6.4%7.0%6.4%5.6%5.6%5.7%6.9%9.5%9.8%9.3%9.8%9.3%7.7%6.4%5.8%5.9%4.9%4.5%8.1%5.2%
Seneca4.1%4.3%5.5%5.5%5.3%4.7%4.5%4.4%5.4%7.7%8.4%8.0%8.1%7.1%5.7%5.2%4.8%4.5%3.8%3.7%7.8%4.7%
Wayne3.8%4.6%6.3%6.0%5.6%4.9%4.7%4.6%5.8%8.5%9.0%8.5%8.7%7.8%6.2%5.4%5.1%4.9%4.1%3.9%7.1%4.5%
Wyoming4.7%4.9%5.8%6.1%6.3%5.3%4.9%4.8%6.1%9.1%9.6%8.8%9.0%8.1%6.6%5.7%5.4%5.6%4.6%4.2%7.2%4.5%
Yates3.7%3.8%4.9%4.9%4.6%4.3%4.2%4.1%4.8%6.9%7.5%7.6%7.9%7.0%5.7%5.0%4.5%4.4%3.7%3.6%6.3%3.8%
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester4.5%5.4%7.0%7.2%6.9%5.9%5.8%5.7%7.3%10.4%11.0%10.7%11.0%9.8%8.1%7.0%6.6%6.8%6.0%5.6%12.1%8.0%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics




Total Unemployed
2000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
NYS413,004445,991576,533593,856543,880469,312429,417422,736519,829810,105839,690796,090827,516752,157598,239500,530464,155455,420401,776377,586943,756655,178
NYS (excluding NYC)201,970223,954278,302287,921282,524254,538242,323235,145299,166441,326457,950433,237448,616394,208309,017272,160253,983261,562226,080212,424434,860256,814
Region22,56425,79933,91334,65832,97228,94427,67327,11533,87349,50550,87847,37149,04843,63034,55130,36428,26529,07625,13823,72145,65828,225
Monroe13,19015,38320,22620,75719,59017,12316,31916,16620,28529,97730,99528,93730,03926,77921,27318,63217,37718,08515,67914,81429,87418,619
Surrounding Counties9,37410,41613,68713,90113,38211,82111,35410,94913,58819,52819,88318,43419,00916,85113,27811,73210,88810,9919,4598,90715,7849,606
Genesee1,2811,3871,7671,8401,8551,5961,5151,4661,8462,5672,5992,4352,4762,1431,6761,5001,3871,4281,2571,1452,0871,244
Livingston1,3251,4271,8901,9871,9261,6361,5801,5501,8962,7462,7042,4602,5512,2961,8061,6521,5611,5591,3471,2802,0651,288
Ontario1,9152,1592,8632,8882,7932,5602,4772,3112,8824,2014,2793,9894,1303,6032,8892,6162,4172,4882,2082,1153,8712,340
Orleans9371,0261,2761,4011,2761,1251,1221,1071,3331,8351,8751,7541,8531,7431,3931,1441,0331,0478818141,397876
Seneca6767099339419088087777429291,3261,3741,2871,3121,1318818167517396306021,211708
Wayne1,8442,2493,1132,9272,7022,4072,2692,2062,7644,0324,2613,9324,0393,5682,7622,3732,2312,1971,8411,7343,1001,911
Wyoming9519991,2261,2911,3221,1281,0641,0301,3031,9141,8691,6631,6931,5281,2051,0439821,0178447801,315801
Yates445460619626600561550537635907922914955839666588526516451437738438
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester4,4435,3416,8956,9566,6685,6955,4555,3646,8469,84410,59510,17610,4899,2687,4466,3726,0186,2315,4835,16511,2527,151

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics











Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS


INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic REGIONAL VALUE YEAR NYS COMPARISON TREND | REGION
Prenatal Care 78% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights 8.4% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Infant Mortality Rate 6.9 2017-19 2 0
Maintaining
Infant Mortality Rate, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels 0.8% 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Children in Poverty 18% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Single-Parent Families 39% 2017-21 2 1
Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect 20 2020 2 1
Increasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions 1.8 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Pregnancy 1.3% 2019 3 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Births 12 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Tourism Spending $1,399 2021 1 0
Maintaining
Recreation Spending $83 2021 1 -1
Decreasing
Voter Registration Rate 84% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Voter Participation Rate 64% 2020 3 1
Increasing
Registered Library Borrowers 55% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Library Visits 2.5 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Charitable Contributions as a Percentage of Income 0.8% 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Households Without Vehicles 10% 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Total Population 1.4% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Age 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Workers’ Commute Time, by Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Pedestrians 2.6 2022 3 0
Maintaining
Population by Age and Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Cyclists 1.4 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Disengaged Youth, Ages 16 to 19 6% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Crashes Resulting in Injuries and Fatalities 60 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income $64,995 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 24 2022 2 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Miles of Dedicated Bike Infrastructure 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty 13% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
RTS Ridership 8 2022 0 -1
Decreasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
RTS On-time Performance 0 10 Not Applicable*
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 23.7 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Public Assistance Recipients 1.2% 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Energy Burden of Households 0 10 Not Applicable*
Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications 22% 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Females Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Solar Energy Capacity 122.8 2022 3 1
Increasing
Seniors Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Households Receiving SNAP 13% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Female Seniors Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gas Usage for Household Heating 74% 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Workforce 4.7% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Tax Filers Receiving Earned Income Tax Credit 14% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Communities 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
EITC Dollars $153 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Ports 165 2023 0 -1
Decreasing
Change in Total Jobs 2.3% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Asthma Hospitalizations 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Number of Business Establishments by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts 35% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Jobs by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts in Low-Income Areas 20% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Sector Shares of Regional Total Employment 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Unemployment Rate 4.9% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Average Salary by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 12% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Employment-to-Population Ratio 59% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Prekindergarten Participation 41% 2021 2 1
Increasing
School Spending Per Student $23,561 2020 1 1
Increasing
Instructional Spending Per Student $16,983 2020 1 1
Increasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Grade 3 English 37% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 English by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 English by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math 40% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 Math by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English 39% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Grade 8 English by Student Subgroup 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English by Race/Ethnicity 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 Math 49% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Regents Algebra 1 73% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Regents English 83% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate 88% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Cohort Graduation Rate, Beyond Four Years 90% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Without Health Insurance 5% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Supply of Doctors 35.3 2019 1 1
Increasing
Mortality Rate 693 2019 1 -1
Decreasing
Chlamydia Rate 53 2020 2 1
Increasing
Chlamydia Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rate 37 2020 1 1
Increasing
Maternal Health, by Race/Ethnicity 2018-20 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Early Syphilis Rates 2.8 2020 3 1
Increasing
Early Syphilis Rates within Monroe County, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with HIV 105 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with AIDS 124 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Percent of Days with Good Air Quality 0 10 Not Applicable*
Alcohol-related Crashes 2.7 2021 2 -1
Decreasing
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment by Primary Substance 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Median Home Value $151,405 2017-21 1 1
Increasing
Median Rental Prices $936 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Homeowners 2.3 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Overall Housing Cost Burden 28% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters 32% 2017-21 3 10 Not Applicable*
Rent Burdened Households 48% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Homeownership Rate 68% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Vacant Housing Units 9% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Homeless Persons 0 10 Not Applicable*
Serious Crimes 165 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Violent Crimes 25 2021 3 1
Increasing
Victims of Domestic Violence 59 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates 10.0 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Arrest Rates 125.2 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Arrest Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Per-Capita Spending for Local Government $3,731 2019 0 1
Increasing
Female to Male Earnings Ratio 0.70 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
*No or multiple regional values for this indicator


Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS





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