Counties see increase in unemployment

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Unemployment figures increased substantially in January, according to figures released Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Unemployment rates increased in all 88 counties, with many seeing increases of a percentage point, or more, during the month.

In Van Wert County, the jobless rate was up a percentage point, from 3.3 percent in December 2019 to 4.3 percent in January of this year. According to workforce figures compiled by the ODJFS, in conjunction with the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the county’s total workforce increased by approximately 200 people, from approximately 14,900 in December to 15,100 people in January. However, those employed remained at approximately 14,400, increasing those unemployed to approximately 600.

Neighboring counties all saw similar increases in unemployment. Mercer County still led the area — and the state — in unemployment, with an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent, up 1.1 percent over December’s 2.4 percent. Auglaize County had the second lowest area jobless rate at 3.7 percent, an increase of 1.1 percent over December’s 2.8 percent, while Putnam County’s unemployment rate was the same as Van Wert County’s 4.3 percent, an increase of 1.3 percent over December’s rate of 3.0 percent.

Paulding County saw its unemployment rate increase 1.2 percent in January, from 3.6 percent in December to 4.8 percent last month, while Allen County’s jobless rate rose 1.5 percent, from 3.8 percent at the end of 2019 to 5.3 percent in January.

Around the state, unemployment ranged from Mercer County’s 3.3 percent to 12.3 percent in Monroe County in southeast Ohio.

Eight counties had unemployment counties at or below 4.0 percent in January. In addition to Mercer and Putnam counties, they included Delaware County, 3.6 percent; Hancock County, 3.8 percent; Holmes and Union counties, 3.9 percent; and Franklin and Medina counties, 4.0 percent.

Thirteen counties had unemployment rates at or above 8.0 percent in January. In addition to Monroe County, they include Morgan County, 9.9 percent; Adams County, 9.8 percent; Meigs County, 9.7 percent; Noble County, 9.5 percent; Ottawa County, 9.0 percent; Huron and Jackson counties, 8.7 percent; Belmont and Vinton counties, 8.5 percent; Pike County, 8.3 percent; Scioto County, 8.2 percent; and Guernsey County, 8.0 percent.

Ohio’s adjusted unemployment rate for January was 5.1 percent.