Unemployment Dips Slightly in Huntington

Fewer Long Islanders found themselves unemployed in October, compared to a year ago. But at the same time the number of private sector jobs on Long Island also fell.

That’s according to recent Labor Department statistics, the latest of which were released Tuesday.

The reasons for the decline in unemployment and job count may vary, said Michael Crowell, an economist with the Labor Department in Hicksville.

“There are discouraged workers, and people finding work in the city,” he said.

Another possible reason? “People may be leaving the area,” he said.

Unemployment in Suffolk County and the Town of Huntington dipped slightly in October. In Huntington, the unemployment rate for October was 5.9 percent, down from 6.0 percent a month ago. It was 6.3 percent in October 2010. There were 6,100 Huntington residents listed as unemployed last month, compared to 6,100 in September, and 6,600 a year ago.

In Suffolk, the unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in October, down from 7.0 percent in September. It was at 7.1 percent in October 2010. There were 52,000 Sufolk County residents listed as unemployed in October, down from 53,900 in September, and 55,500 a year ago.

Meanwhile, the private sector job count across Long Island fell over the year by 8,300. Leisure and hospitality; manufacturing; educational services; and trade, transportation and utilities all took hits.

And the construction sector, which had shown year-to-year gains in September, lost 100 jobs in October.

Bright spots included professional and business services and health care and social assistances.

“I’d like to think of declining unemployment as good,” Crowell said. “But with the declining number of jobs, I’m less optimistic."