Unemployment rates fell in March across all of the state’s 22 labor markets, according to the state Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
The Worcester area’s unemployment rate fell to 9.8 percent from 10.4 percent the previous month. In March 2009, the Worcester area’s rate was 8.6 percent.
Framingham’s labor market has been resilient throughout the recession. It ended March with an unemployment rate of 7.3 percent. In the prior month, its rate was 7.8 percent. In March 2009, it was 6.5 percent.
Labor markets in North Worcester County saw jobless rates fall in March, but they remain higher than other markets in the state.
The Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner area’s jobless rate was 12 percent in March after ending February at 12.7 percent. Athol’s rate also fell to 12 percent after hitting 12.9 percent in the prior month.
A year ago, the Leominster-Fitchburg area’s rate was 10.3 percent. Athol’s was 9.7 percent.
