Department of Numbers

Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, New York Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Buffalo rose 0.2 percentage points in November 2023 to 3.9%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.4 percentage points lower than the New York rate. The unemployment rate in Buffalo peaked in April 2020 at 21.7% and is now 17.8 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.3% in April 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.6 percentage points. You can also compare Buffalo unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate November 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.7% -0.1 +0.1
New York 4.3% +0.1 +0.2
Buffalo 3.9% +0.2 +0.3
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with November 2023 data as December metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Buffalo, New York, National

Buffalo, New York monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Buffalo, New York Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Buffalo peaked in April 2020 at 119,582. There are now 97,753 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 17,792 in April 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 4,037. Buffalo employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Buffalo, New York) is also available.

Unemployed Persons November 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Buffalo 21,829 +1,108 +2,366

Number of Unemployed Persons

Buffalo, New York Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
New York
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
Unemployed
December
2023
3.7%
November
2023
3.7% 4.3% 3.9% 21,829
October
2023
3.8% 4.2% 3.7% 20,721
September
2023
3.8% 4.0% 3.5% 19,504
August
2023
3.8% 3.9% 3.4% 18,784
July
2023
3.5% 3.9% 3.3% 17,977
June
2023
3.6% 3.9% 3.3% 18,009
May
2023
3.7% 3.9% 3.3% 17,916
April
2023
3.4% 4.0% 3.3% 17,792
March
2023
3.5% 4.1% 3.4% 18,442
February
2023
3.6% 4.2% 3.5% 18,833
January
2023
3.4% 4.2% 3.6% 19,358

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.