County jobless rate shows big decrease

Van Wert independent/ODJFS information

Van Wert County, like a majority of counties across the state, had something to be thankful for in November, when it came to its unemployment rate.

Like neighboring counties, Van Wert County had its lowest unemployment in 3 ½ years, decreasing from 9.1 percent in October to 8.2 percent this past month. According to labor force estimates provided by the ODJFS, workforce numbers were up, as was employment, while the number of people unemployed dropped in November.

Among the state’s 88 counties, the November 2011 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 4.9 percent in Mercer County to a high of 13.9 percent in Pike County. Rates decreased in 85 of the 88 counties. In November, the comparable rate for Ohio was 7.6 percent.

Five counties had unemployment rates below 6.0 percent in November. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Mercer, were Holmes; 5.2; Delaware and Geauga 5.5; and Medina, 5.8 percent.

Five counties had unemployment rates at or above 11.0 percent during November. The counties with the highest rates, other than Pike, were: Ottawa, 11.9; Scioto, 11.5; Meigs, 11.3; and Clinton, 11.0 percent.

Among neighboring counties, Mercer was again lowest, while Auglaize County’s unemployment rate was 6.4 percent, down a percentage point from 7.4 percent in October; Putnam County was at 6.5 percent, down from 7.3 percent in October; Paulding County was at 7.9 percent, down 0.6 percent from October’s 8.5 percent; and Allen County had an 8.1 percent unemployment rate in November, down 1.1 percent from 9.2 in October.

State figures dropped from 8.4 percent in October to 7.6 percent in November, according to the ODJFS (click here for a statewide PDF unemployment rate map).