Unemployment Rate in Islip Stays Flat

The for December 2010 in the Town of Islip remained the same when compared to December 2009 holding at 7.6 percent, the New York State Department of Labor announced Thursday. Unemployment is up slightly from last month, which was recorded at 7.5 percent.

The Town of Islip’s unemployment rate for December fell below the New York State rate of 8 percent, but above the Suffolk County rate of 7.3 percent and the Long Island rate of 7 percent.

"The fact that the unemployment rate is still so persistently high, I would say, is discouraging news," said Michael Crowell, senior economist for the Department of Labor. "We didn't see as much holiday hiring in retail as we usually do."

After 7.3 percent unemployment in Suffolk County in 2010 and 2009, Crowell added that in a recent historical perspective, outloook is not positive. The percentage of the county's unemployed has risen past its current levels just once (1992) since the state started tracking local unemployment in 1990.

While unemployment remains high, Crowell added some good news.

"The good news is after most of 2009 when we were down close to 40,000 if not more jobs, finally we’re getting back to some job growth," he said. "Also, we did get a boost in 'other' services, which includes temp agencies. An increase there usually precedes an overall upswing in the private sector."

According to the New York State Department of Unemployment website, local unemployment numbers are estimated using a number of figures, including a survey of households, current unemployment statistics, and unemployment insurance claims made the week of the 12th.

Laura Glasser and Joseph Pinciaro contributed to this article.