Jobless rate:

Jobless rates across northcentral Pennsylvania continue to soar above the state and national averages. Cameron County is still plagued by the highest jobless rate in the state while Potter County remains in double digits.

Analysts point out that unemployment rates in less populous areas are subject to large fluctuations as the result of small additions or reductions in the number of jobs.

At the same time, they note that hidden behind the official jobless rate are large pools of adults who are unable to find work but have exhausted their unemployment compensation (UC) eligibility, as well as the “under-employed,” who have part-time jobs just to get by.

In practical numbers, there are about 400 adults actively seeking work and collecting UC in Cameron County, and about 900 in Potter County.

Cameron County’s unemployment rate for December was 16.0 percent. Potter County’s figure was 11.7 percent.

McKean County had slight bump to 10.5 percent from 10.3. Elk County was at 11.6 and Tioga rose from 8.8 to 9.2.

Pennsylvania’s jobless rate was up slightly to 8.9 percent.