County’s jobless rate decreases in May

Van Wert independent/ODJFS information

Van Wert County’s unemployment rate decreased in May, although the drop wasn’t much. The county’s jobless rate dropped only a tenth of a point, from 9.2 to 9.1 percent, but it was welcome all the same.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services statistics show the county labor force increased to 14,400, from 14,200 in April, while employment was also up, from an estimated 12,900 in April to 13,100 in May. Unemployment remained steady in the county at 1,300, ODJFS figures show.

Among the state’s 88 counties, the May 2011 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 5.9 percent in Delaware and Mercer counties to a high of 14.7 percent in Pike County. Rates increased in 42 of the 88 counties. In May, the comparable rate for Ohio was 8.5 percent.

Six counties had unemployment rates below 7.0 percent in May. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Delaware and Mercer, were Holmes, 6.2; Geauga, 6.4; Medina, 6.8; and Lake, 6.9 percent (click here for a PDF unemployment rate map).

Eight counties had unemployment rates at or above 12.0 percent during May. The counties with the highest rates, other than Pike, were Clinton, 13.2; Highland, 12.8; Meigs, 12.7; Vinton, 12.6; Jackson, 12.4; and Adams and Noble, 12.0 percent.

Among neighboring counties, Mercer was again the lowest, at 5.9 percent, although up a tenth of a point from 5.8 in April. Auglaize County was second lowest with a jobless rate of 7.6 percent, up from 7.3 percent the month before. Putnam County’s unemployment rate in May was 8.1 percent, up a tenth from 8.0 in April.

Van Wert County was next at 9.1 percent, while Paulding County had a jobless rate of 9.2 percent, up from 9.0 in April, and Allen County’s unemployment rate was 9.4 percent, an increase of two-tenths of a percent over its April jobless rate of 9.2 percent.

Van Wert County was in double figures this time last year, with an unemployment rate of 11.5 percent.