St. Lawrence County's jobless rate continued its downward trend in September and October, dropping more than a full point since July, according to the latest figures today from the state Labor Department.

The unemployment rate in the county has been dropping, from 9.4 percent in July to 9.1 percent in August, 8.5 percent in September, and 8.3 percent in October. The jobless rate stood at 9.4 percent in October 2012.

The latest figures indicate that roughly 100 more people were working in September in St. Lawrence County than the month before, and yet 100 more were at work in October.

Our neighboring county to the east, Franklin, showed more modest improvement, steady from August to September at 8.2 percent, dropping a tenth of a point in October to 8.1 percent, much better than the 9.0 percent reported in October last year.

To our west, Jefferson County saw a rise from 8.3 percent in August to 8.7 percent in September and October, possibly in part due to the federal shutdown and the county's large contingent of federal workers associated with Fort Drum. But it was still better than the October 2012 rate of 9.4 percent unemployed.

The Labor Department today released both September and October figures. The usual monthly report for September was delayed due to the shutdown of some offices of the federal government, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which helps compile the data used in the state's unemployment reports.

The October figures reported today are considered preliminary and are not yet adjusted to compensate for normal seasonal variations.