Jobless rate takes big drop in February

VW independent/ODJFS information

After increases in unemployment in January, area counties all showed a significant decrease in their jobless rates for the month of February, according to figures released Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

In Van Wert County, the unemployment rate fell six-tenths of a percent, from 5.2 percent in January to 4.6 percent last month. According to figures compiled by the ODJFS, in conjunction with the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the county’s workforce decreased by 100 people, while the number of people employed stayed the same at 13,600 and the number of people unemployed dropped by 100, from 800 to 700.

A similar decrease was seen in neighboring counties, led by Mercer County’s 3.7 percent. Although Mercer County lost its status as having the lowest unemployment rate in the state (Delaware County is now at 3.6 percent), it remains the lowest in the area and second lowest in the state.

Other area counties also saw significant drops in unemployment. Auglaize County unemployment rate decreased from 4.7 percent in January to 4.1 percent last month; Putnam County saw a decrease of six-tenths of a percent, from 5.2 percent to 4.6 percent; Paulding County’s unemployment rate dropped eight-tenths of a percent, from 5.8 percent to 5.0 percent; while Allen County jobless percent fell from 6.1 percent to 5.4 percent in February.

Statewide, 83 of Ohio’s 88 counties saw unemployment decrease from January to February.

Four counties had unemployment rates below 4.0 percent. Other than Delaware and Mercer, they included Holmes County (3.9 percent) and Hancock County (4.0 percent).

At the high end of the scale, six counties had unemployment rates higher than 9.0 percent. They include Monroe County (10.0 percent), Adams County (9.9 percent), Meigs County (9.6 percent), Ottawa County (9.4 percent), Huron County (9.3 percent), and Pike County (9.2 percent). Ohio’s adjusted unemployment rate for February is 5.6 percent.