Stratford Unemployment Rate Down 2 Pts Since July

The unemployment rate in Stratford continues to decline, and December saw the rate dip to 8.2 percent, released by the Connecticut Department of Labor.

According to the department, of the town's 25,970-strong labor force, 2,136 were without a job in December, which equates to a 8.2 percent unemployment rate.

However, compared to most neighboring towns and cities, Stratford's unemployment rate is still lagging behind. In December, Milford had an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent, Trumbull of 6.3 and Shelton of 6.5. Bridgeport had the third highest unemployment rate in the state at 11.7 percent.

The statewide unemployment rate reported by the department in December was 7.6 percent; in July, the state had a 9.2 percent uemployment rate.

"After a disappointing performance in the third quarter of 2011, it appears that Connecticut's labor market has returned to a modest pace towards recovery," Andy Condon, director of the office of research, said in a statement.

"Our declining unemployment rate is particularly good news," he said. "However, forecasts for job growth in 2012 remain cautious and uncertain with most analysts predicting levels much like what we saw this past year.”

For a comparison of all Connecticut cities and towns for 2011, visit the state Department of Labor's website.

Editor's note: The original publication date for this article, Jan. 27, has been changed for layout purposes.