The latest figures for Northumberland County's unemployment rate show no change from January to February, according to information releasted by the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Tuesday.
The updated figures show that the county had a rate of 8.3 percent in both January and February, the lowest rate since The News-Item began reporting the information monthly more than two years ago.
The drop from 9.5 percent in December to 8.3 percent in January was the largest single change since December 2008.
The county information is benchmarked, which is done once a year. The monthly figures throughout the year are estimates and are re-calibrated with more detailed information annually.
The 8.3 rate is lower than February 2009's rate of 9.5 percent and Fenruary 2010's rate of 10.2 percent.
The rate had crested at 10.6 percent in October 2009.
The county rate remains between the national and state levels at 8.9 percent and 8 percent respectfully.
Jobless rates in neighboring counties are Montour, 5.9 percent; Juniata, 6.6 percent; Snyder, 7 percent; Lycoming, 7.4 percent; Dauphin, 7.4 percent; Union, 8.4 percent; Columbia, 7.9 percent; Perry, 7.6 percent; and Schuylkill, 9.1 percent.
Of the nine counties, only Columbia and Montour counties saw an increase in unemployment. Daupin County saw the largest change from 7.6 to 7 percent.
Bradford County, at 5.1 percent, has the lowest jobless rate in Pennsylvania. Cameron County, at 12.9 percent, has the highest.
Four counties, down from January's figure of 12, are at or above 10 percent.