Unemployment Falls from Year-ago Levels in Massachusetts

BOSTON — Local unemployment rates in January went down in all 24 labor-market areas in the state compared to January 2015, according to data measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

However, over-the-month comparisons show seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates went up in 23 areas of the state from December 2015 to January 2016 and remained the same in one area, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported.

From January 2015 to January 2016, 14 areas added jobs, with the largest-percentage gains in the Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, Haverhill-Newport-Amesbury, and Barnstable areas. One area recorded a loss. The statewide, seasonally adjusted jobs estimate showed a 2,500 job loss in January and an over-the-year gain of 48,900 jobs.