The jobless rate in Schuylkill County is at its lowest point since 2009.
The seasonally-adjusted rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 8.5 in November, according to the latest figures from the state Department of Labor and Industry. The last time the rate was at 8.5 percent or lower was January 2009 when it was 8.3 percent.
"The big take away is, of course, the fact that the rate is the lowest it has been since January 2009," Steven Zellers, industry and business analyst for the department, said Wednesday.
The state rate fell 0.2 of a percent to 7.3 percent in November while the national rate dropped 0.3 percent to 7 percent.
Over the year, the county rate fell 1.1 percentage points while both the state and national rates went down 0.8 of a point.
"That's really strong for the area," Zellers said.
Total nonfarm jobs in the county were up 200 in November at 53,000. Over the year, the county was up 1,800 jobs, or 3.5 percent, while the state gained only 32,200 jobs, or 0.6 percent.
There was little or no change in employment over the month, keeping with historical and seasonal patterns. However, there has been noticeable growth in several sectors over the year.
Transportation, warehousing and utilities and professional and business services were all at record highs in November and helped drive service-producing industries to a record high.
Transportation and warehousing and utilities is only up 100 jobs over the month but added 400 since last year and was at a total 6,000 jobs in November. Professional and business services did not see an increase over the month but was up 200 over the year at 3,600 jobs.
Overall, the service-providing sector increased 1,500 over the year and was at 40,400 for November. The sector only increased by 200 jobs over the month.
Schuylkill County was tied with Cambria and Clearfield for the 12th highest among the state's 67 counties. Rates ranged from 5.6 percent in Montour County to 10.9 percent in Cameron County. The rates of surrounding counties were: Berks, 7.3; Carbon, 8.2; Columbia, 7.1; Dauphin, 6.6; Lebanon, 5.8; Lehigh, 7.4; Luzerne, 9.2; and Northumberland, 8.3 percent.