The State Labor Department says that the unemployment rate in the Rochester area dropped in October. The rate for the metro area was 5.5 percent, down one percent from this time last year.
State Labor Analyst Kevin Jack says there are a number of reasons why the rate fell, including the fact that the labor force is shrinking, partly due to demographic and other factors.
"While the labor force has been contracting somewhat over the last year, we're also seeing lower unemployment rates, so it's not a slam dunk but at the same time the fact that we're seeing a lower unemployment rate, most people would say is a positive development."
Labor officials said last week that the number of private sector jobs in the Rochester area in October fell by 300 compared to a year ago. That was one of the few times that job growth has declined over the last couple of years.
Statewide the jobless rate in October was 6 percent.
