County’s unemployment rate declines

Van Wert independent/ODJFS information

Van Wert County’s unemployment rate again followed the trend statewide as the county saw another decline in April. In fact, only one of Ohio’s 88 counties saw an unemployment rate increase (Logan County, which went from 9.6 percent to 9.8 percent).

Among the state’s 88 counties, the April 2011 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 5.8 percent in Mercer County to a high of 14.5 percent in Pike County. Rates decreased in 87 of the 88 counties. In April, the comparable rate for Ohio was 8.4 percent.

Six counties had unemployment rates at or below 7.0 percent in April. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Mercer, were Delaware, 5.9; Holmes, 6.2; Geauga, 6.7; and Lake and Medina, 7.0 percent.

Eight counties had unemployment rates above 12.0 percent during April. The counties with the highest rates, other than Pike, were: Clinton, 13.1; Meigs, 12.9; Highland, 12.8; Ottawa, 12.6; Adams and Morgan, 12.2; and Noble, 12.1 percent (click here for a larger map).

Among neighboring counties, Van Wert was tied with for the highest unemployment rate, at 9.2 percent. However, Van Wert County had the lowest jobless rate decrease when compared to its five neighboring counties — Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Paulding and Putnam.

Van Wert County’s unemployment rate decreased from 9.5 percent to 9.2 percent (.3 percent), while Allen County’s rate fell from 9.6 to 9.2 (.4 percent), Auglaize County’s fell from 7.9 percent to 7.3 percent (.6 percent), Mercer County’s fell from 6.4 to 5.8 (.6 percent), Paulding County’s fell from 9.6 to 9.0 (.6  percent) and Putnam County’s fell from 8.5 to 8.0 (.5 percent).

Mercer County led the state, as well as the area, in low jobless rate, while Auglaize was next among neighboring states, followed by Putnam, Paulding, Allen and Van Wert.

Locally, the workforce remained the same at 14,200, but those employed rose 100, from 12,800 to 12,900, while those unemployed dropped 100, from 1,400 to 1,300.

The 9.2 percent compares to 12.4 percent a year ago April.