What does this indicator measure?

This indicator measures the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have jobs, are eligible to work and are looking for employment. The rate also includes people who have been temporarily laid off.  

The measure is presented on a biannual basis from 2005 to 2011, and for Onondaga County, NYS, and the United States.  The unemployment rate for similar, upstate Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA’s) in 2011 is also included.

 MSA’s are a geographic unit used by the census to capture economic “systems”.  They usually include one county with an urban core/city and some adjoining counties that conduct a lot of commerce with each other.