HYANNIS – The latest job numbers are in for the Cape and Islands and it shows continued improvement for the region and across the state for the month of May.
In Barnstable County, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.3 percent, compared to 5.6 percent a year ago.
The unemployment rate in Nantucket County was 3.1 percent in May, compared to 4 percent a year ago and Plymouth County saw a drop to 4 percent in May 2016, compared to 5.1 percent in May 2015.
The statewide unemployment rate dropped from 4.9 percent last year to 3.8 in May 2016.
“I think it shows the relative strength of the economy and plenty of people are working,” said David Augustinho, Executive Director of the Cape and Islands Workforce Investment Board.
Another positive trend is the number of people that are employed this year as opposed to last year.
Bristol County saw a significant increase in its employment numbers, going from just over 270,000 in May 2015 to more than 273,000 in May 2016.
Barnstable County saw an increase in the workforce as well, going from nearly 105,000 people last May to over 106,000 last month.
Plymouth County saw an uptick as well, with over 257,000 last month, up from more than 252,000 last year.
Augustinho believes that the positive numbers can continue.
“Down here, as far as I can tell, construction is just getting full-swing back to where they were prior to the recession, so I think there’s a little room for us to hit more positive numbers, even coming out of the summer,” said Augustinho.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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