Cayuga County's unemployment rate climbed higher than last year for the third straight month, according to the latest state Department of Labor numbers.

The county's 6.2 percent unemployment rate was up from 5.5 percent for February 2007, and it was also higher than the 5.9 percent rate in January. The state released its February data on Thursday.

The county's job market also lags the statewide pace. Across New York, the February unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, slightly higher than the 4.8 percent rate of a year earlier but down from the 5.6 percent rate posted for January.

Cayuga County's labor force shrunk by 400 people from last year to this year. The number of unemployed residents grew by 300, with the remaining 100 being classified as people who dropped out of the labor force completely, meaning they're no longer seeking employment.

The trend of higher year-over-year unemployment rates started at the end 2007. Prior to December, the 2007 monthly rates had been the same or lower than 2006 levels in every month.