New City, NY – Rockland County’s unemployment rate stood at 3.7 percent in July, according to preliminary local labor statistics released Tuesday by the New York State Department of Labor, as the Hudson Valley continued to show relatively low unemployment and growth in several major employment sectors.
The latest figures provide a snapshot of the local labor market during July 2026. Rockland’s 3.7 percent unemployment rate was close to rates reported throughout much of the Hudson Valley. Putnam County recorded a rate of 3.4 percent, while Westchester and Sullivan counties were each at 3.8 percent. Ulster County was at 4.0 percent, while Orange County recorded a rate of 4.2 percent.
The Hudson Valley region as a whole continued to experience job growth over the past year. Private-sector employment increased by 14,100 jobs, or 1.7 percent, during the 12-month period ending in July, bringing the regional private-sector job count to approximately 866,100. According to the Department of Labor, that represents the highest private-sector employment total recorded in the Hudson Valley for the month of July.
Rockland County was among the stronger areas in the region for private-sector job growth. The county recorded a 3.2 percent increase in private employment compared with July 2025, the second-fastest rate of growth among areas measured in the Hudson Valley. Sullivan County recorded the region’s fastest growth at 4.0 percent, while Westchester County followed Rockland with an increase of 2.6 percent.
Job gains were spread across most major industries in the Hudson Valley. Private education and health services led the region, adding approximately 6,400 jobs over the year. That sector reached about 241,500 jobs in July, the highest July total on record.
Other industries recording gains included trade, transportation and utilities, which added about 1,700 jobs; mining, logging and construction, which added approximately 1,600; and leisure and hospitality, which increased by about 1,400 jobs. Professional and business services added approximately 1,100 positions, while other services gained about 1,000. Financial activities and manufacturing also reported year-over-year increases. Information was the only major private-sector category in the region to record a decline, losing approximately 300 jobs.
The unemployment rate measures the percentage of people in the civilian labor force who are unemployed but actively seeking work. It does not include people who are not working and are not currently looking for employment. Local unemployment statistics are produced through a joint program involving the New York State Department of Labor and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Department of Labor cautions that county-level monthly unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. As a result, comparisons with the same month in previous years can provide a clearer picture of local trends than simply comparing one month with the month immediately before it. Local labor statistics are also considered preliminary when first released and may later be revised.
Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in July. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that unemployment rates declined in 10 states during the month, remained generally stable in 40 states and the District of Columbia, and showed little overall change nationally.
For Rockland County, the latest figures show a local unemployment rate below the national level while private-sector employment continues to expand. The next round of county and regional unemployment estimates, covering August 2026, is scheduled to be released by the New York State Department of Labor on Sept. 22.