County’s jobless rate lowest since 1990s

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert County reached unemployment lows in August not seen since the 1990s, according to labor estimates compiled by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

The county’s jobless rate of 3.6 percent followed a trend seen around the state, as all 88 Ohio counties saw unemployment estimates decrease last month. Unemployment decreased from 4.1 percent in August in the county.

Estimates compiled with assistance from the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics show a total workforce of approximately 14,600, down from 14,700 in July, with 14,100 of those people employed, the same as in July. A total of 500 people were listed as unemployed, which is a decrease of 100 from last month.

Unemployment also shows a decrease from a year ago August, when the jobless rate was 4.7 percent.

Mercer County again had the lowest unemployment rate among neighboring counties and across the state, with a jobless rate of 2.7 percent, down from 3.3 percent in July. Other area counties are as follows: Auglaize County, 3.1 percent, down from 3.8 percent last month; Putnam County, 3.3 percent, down from 3.8 percent in July; Paulding County, 4.1 percent, down from 5.0 percent last month; and Allen County, 4.1 percent, down from 4.9 percent in July.

In addition to Mercer, Auglaize and Putnam, counties will unemployment rates below 3.5 percent included Holmes County, 2.9 percent; Delaware County, 3.0 percent; Wyandot County, 3.1 percent; Hancock County, 3.2 percent; Madison and Union counties, 3.3 percent; Wayne County, 3.4 percent; and Darke Logan and Warren counties, 3.5 percent.

Five counties had unemployment figures above 6.5 percent in August. They include Monroe County, the county with the highest unemployment rate at 8.3 percent; Meigs County, 7.0 percent; Adams County, 6.8 percent; and Jefferson and Scioto counties, 6.5 percent.