The jobless rate in Lancaster County fell in November to 6.6 percent, the state announced Thursday.

By declining from October's 6.7 percent, the local jobless rate decreased for the first time since April.

"It's a slow go," said Bill Sholly, an analyst with the state Department of Labor & Industry.

Sholly explained that employers typically are cautious about rebuilding their work forces after a recession.

As demand recovers, employers are likely to initially respond in other ways, he said.

They'll probably have existing workers do more or turn to automation before adding staff, Sholly said.

All of which makes for minimal progress in the jobless rate — when there's progress at all.

Despite the November dip, the local jobless rate still stands a half-point above its mark in April and May.

"I have no reason at this point to believe that things are going to be much different," Sholly said.

Unless a major employer comes to town, or an existing employer launches a big expansion, any progress will be gradual, he said.

"I don't expect to see any major moves in the rate," Sholly said.

The slight improvement did not change the county's ranking among the state's 14 metropolitan areas.

Lancaster County tied with Lebanon County for second best, trailing only State College, at 5.7 percent.

That's been Lancaster County's place for a long time.

Since February 2011, the county's jobless rate has been third or tied for second among Pennsylvania metros.

At the other end of the spectrum is Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which in November retained its usual spot as worst among metros with a 9.4 percent rate.

The statewide rate in November was 7.8 percent. The national rate was 7.7 percent.

Thursday's report shows that the local jobless rate continues to hover in a narrow range, as it had for the prior year.

In November 2011, the jobless rate was 6.8 percent.

It slipped to 6.1 percent by April and May, climbed back to 6.7 percent for three months, then slipped this November to 6.6 percent.

Does hovering in that 6 percent range represent progress? That depends on your perspective.

It's somewhat better than the peak of 7.8 percent, set in February 2010 during this downturn,

But it's far worse than the rate of 3.7 percent recorded when the recession began in December 2007.

Taking a closer look at the local figures for November, the jobless rate resulted from 17,900 adults being without work.

That was 400 fewer than in October, leading to the lower jobless rate. Some 254,600 adults here had jobs.

While the countywide rate declined slightly, the rate in the three biggest municipalities here dropped  noticeably.

East Hempfield Township's jobless rate fell to 4.8 percent in November from October's 5.2 percent.

The city rate decreased to 9.2 percent from 9.7 percent in October.

In Manheim Township, the jobless rate dropped to 5.9 percent in November from October's 6.2 percent.

The municipal rates are not adjusted for seasonal events, such as the expansion of the retail sector in December and its retreat in January.

The countywide rate is seasonally adjusted for such swings.
tmekeel@lnpnews.com