Cayuga County's July unemployment climbed to its highest level for that month since 1997, the latest state statistics show.

The 5.3 percent jobless rate for July was also higher than the 5.1 percent rate reported for June, the state Department of Labor said.

The numbers continue the trend of weaker job market figures for the county that started in December. Every monthly unemployment rate since the final month of 2007 has been higher on a year-over-year basis. The July 2007 rate for Cayuga County was 4.4 percent.

One silver lining for the county job market - the statewide July unemployment rate was slightly higher at 5.4 percent.

The job market data show 300 fewer Cayuga County residents were employed compared with a year ago, while the number of unemployed people was up by 400. Those two numbers don't automatically match up because labor statistics do not count people who are not actively seeking employment.

Within the base of jobs that exist within the county's borders, the biggest decline came in the government sector, which dropped from 6,300 jobs to 6,100. Construction, financial activities, professional and business services, and tourism all saw decreases of 100 jobs.

Among the sectors to include job gains was the manufacturing industry, which went from 3,700 jobs in July 2007 to 3,800 this year.