The jobless picture in Suffolk County grew a bit more bleak in September, as the state's department of labor said the county's unemployment rate climbed in the month.
The percentage of residents filing for jobless benefits rose to 7.5 percent compared to 7.3 percent in September of 2011. The rate fell, however, compared to August's 8.2 percent unemployment, according to the labor department.
In the county, the Town of Babylon had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent, though the Village of Lindenhurst eclipsed that with 8.7 percent unemployment.
Islip had the second highest jobless rate, at 8.1 percent.
Unemployment on Long Island also grew in September to 7.3 percent, compared to 7.1 percent in September 2011.
September 2012 Labor Force Data Labor Force Employed UnemployedUnemployment Rate (%)
Nassau-Suffolk 1,462,000 1,354,600 107,400 7.3 Suffolk County 778,400 719,900 58,500 7.5 Babylon Town 110,300 100,800 9,500 8.6 Brookhaven Town 257,100 237,900 19,300 7.5 Huntington Town 105,900 99,000 6,900 6.5 Islip Town 176,500 162,300 14,200 8.1 Lindenhurst Village 14,400 13,200 1,300 8.7 Riverhead Town 16,400 15,100 1,200 7.6 Smithtown Town 60,500 56,500 4,000 6.6 Southampton Town 28,700 26,900 1,900 6.5 New York City 3,959,100 3,610,400 348,800 8.8 New York State 9,539,800 8,756,300 783,500 8.2