Unemployment Rates
What does this measure?
This table tracks the unemployment rates in Orange County, other Hudson Valley counties, and the New York State average, across selected years from 2003 to 2024. The unemployment rate reflects the percentage of people in the civilian labor force who were unemployed—meaning they were not working but were available and actively seeking work during the reference week, temporarily laid off, or waiting to begin a new job within 30 days. The most recent data is from 2024.
Summary Statement
Between 2019 and 2024, unemployment rates in most Hudson Valley counties declined, following a spike in 2020, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Orange County’s rate peaked at 5.6% in 2020 before dropping to 2.9% the following year. Similarly, Sullivan County dropped from a high of 6.1% in 2020 to 3.1% in recent years. Amongst the Mid-Hudson counties, Orange, Ulster, and Westchester counties reported the highest rates in 2024, all at 3.2%. All, however, were below the New York State average of 4.3%. Compared to the earliest year reported, 2003, unemployment rates have dropped in each of the counties; the biggest change was within Sullivan County, which dropped from 5.3% in 2003 to 3.1% by 2024. Hudson Valley unemployment increased across all counties between 2024 and September 2025, rising by roughly half a percentage point on average. The uniform nature of the increase suggests a regional softening of labor market conditions rather than isolated local factors.”
Sources
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/stats/lslaus.shtm
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/kylee.teague2482/viz/LAUS_16534106730460/MonthlyData