York County Unemployment Rate Inches Higher

York, PA - Last month, York County's unemployment rate inched up one-tenth of a percentage point to equal that of the state.Seasonal layoffs of school bus drivers and the shut down of public schools for summer vacation contributed to a local unemployment rate of 7.8 percent, according to data released Monday by the state's department of labor and industry.

While July's rate was up compared to June, the rate was nine-tenths of a percentage point lower than the July 2010 rate of 8.7 percent.

Over the year, the number of jobs in the county has climbed by 2,600 positions compared with July 2010.

In July, the county lost 500 manufacturing jobs coupled with a drop of 500 positions in the trade, transportation and utilities sector.

The drop reported in the transportation sector is largely credited to the seasonal layoffs of school bus drivers, according labor and industry officials.

Between June and July, the number of local government jobs fell by 1,800 positions from 15,700 jobs to 13,900 jobs.

That drop was expected as public schools shut down for summer vacation.

The one bright spot came from the professional and business services sector.

In July, that sector added 100 positions reaching a record high of 17,900 jobs, according to labor and industry officials.

Since last July, the local professional and business services sector added 1,000 jobs to the area.