BINGHAMTON – Following the nation’s economic downturn, Chenango County’s 6.5 percent unemployment rate jumped nearly one percent from August and set a monthly high not seen since 1995.

The unemployment rate was .6 percent higher in September and 2 percent higher for the year.

According to New York State Department of Labor figures released Thursday, a total of 1,000 jobs have been lost for the year so far, primarily in the professional and business services and personal services sectors. Fewer people called on temporary service agencies, for example, and personal services such as beauty salons, causing lay-offs.