The unemployment rate in Schuylkill County hit 8.7 percent for the third time in four months, according to the latest October figures from the state Department of Labor & Industry on Thursday.
Due to delays from the federal government shutdown in October, there was no release in November. In August, the rate hit 8.9 percent.
Before then, the last time the rate was 8.7 percent or lower was January 2009 when it was 8.3 percent.
"By comparison to the state and other areas, (Schuylkill County is) doing really well," Steven Zellers, industry and business analyst with the department, said Thursday.
In October, the state rate was down 0.1 of a point to 7.5 percent, while the national rate was up 0.1 of a point at 7.3 percent.
The unemployment rate in Schuylkill County is down 0.9 of a percentage point over the year. The state rate fell 0.5 of a percentage point, while the national rate dropped 0.6 of a point.
There was little or no change in employment over the month. Total nonfarm jobs were up 200 over the month at 52,800 in Schuylkill County.
"There's usually not a lot of movement in October," Zellers said. "Even though there wasn't much movement, the over the year totals are doing pretty well."
Over the year, the county was up 1,700 jobs, or 3.3 percent, while the state only gained 29,200 jobs, or 0.5 percent.
"That's really one of largest percentage gains for areas we cover," Zellers said.
Trade, transportation and utilities and professional and business services were both at record highs in October, driving up the service-producing industries to a record high of 40,200 jobs, which is up 1,300 over the year.
Trade, transportation, warehousing and utility jobs were up 700 over the year at 13,300, while professional and business services increased by 200 to 3,600 over the year.
"There is an upward trend both in business activity and job market and jobs within (Schuylkill County)," Zellers said.
Schuylkill County was tied with Carbon and Somerset counties for the 11th highest rate among the state's 67 counties. County rates ranged from 5.4 percent in Montour County to 11.1 percent in Cameron County.
Rates for the surrounding counties were: Berks, 7.4; Carbon, 8.7; Columbia, 7.1; Dauphin, 6.7; Lebanon, 5.9; Lehigh, 7.5; Luzerne, 9.2 and Northumberland, 8.0 percent.