County’s jobless rate 12th lowest in state

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Although unemployment increased locally, as it did in most Ohio counties, Van Wert County was still among the lowest in the state, according to figures released Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Van Wert County unemployment was estimated at 4.0 percent in June, up four-tenths of a percent from the 3.6 percent jobless figure two months ago.

The county’s unemployment figures, as compiled by the ODJFS, in cooperation with the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, show the labor market increased approximately 100 people, from 14,600 in May to 14,700 last month. Employment remained the same at 14,100, meaning the additional 100 people were all unemployed, according to the ODJFS estimates.

The county followed a trend seen across Ohio, as only nine of the state’s 88 counties saw a decrease in unemployment. Unemployment increased in 78 counties, while staying the same in just one county.

Nevertheless, Van Wert and several neighboring counties were among the counties with the lowest unemployment rates.

Mercer County again had the lowest unemployment rate in the state, at 3.2 percent, up three-tenths of a percent over May’s 2.9 percent. Putnam County was second in the state at 3.5 percent, an increase of two-tenths of a percent from May’s 3.3 percent, while Auglaize County was third in the state at 3.6 percent, although that figure was an increase of four-tenths of a percent over May.

Paulding County saw unemployment rise two-tenths of a percent, from 4.4 percent in May to 4.6 percent in June, while Allen County’s jobless rate also increased, from 4.4 percent in May to 4.8 percent last month.

In all there were 12 counties with unemployment rates of 4.0 percent or below, including Hancock and Holmes counties at 3.7 percent; Madison, Union, and Wyandot counties at 3.8 percent; Dark County at 3.9 percent; and Van Wert and Wayne counties at 4.0 percent.

On the other end of the spectrum, five counties had unemployment rates above 7.5 percent in June. They included Monroe County at 10.2 percent, Meigs County at 8.3 percent, Jefferson and Noble counties at 7.9 percent; and Scioto County at 7.6 percent.

Ohio’s overall unemployment rate in June was 4.9 percent.