Unemployment Rate up, but More People Working

More Seekonk and Swansea residents were working in March than were in February, according to statistics released Tuesday by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. However, the statistics also show an increase in the unemployment rate. This is because the labor force (a combination of those who are working and those actively looking for work) increased from February to March and a smaller percentage of the labor force had jobs in March.

The number of Seekonk residents with jobs in March was 6,862. The number was 6,838 in February and 6,916 in March 2012. This translates to unemployment rates of 9.4 percent in March, 8.8 percent in February and 9.8 percent in March 2012.

The number of Swansea residents with jobs in March was 8,185. The number was 8,157 in February and 8,250 in March 2012. This translates to unemployment rates of 11.1 percent in March, 10.7 percent in February and 11.5 percent in March 2012.