Jobless rate lowest since start of recession

Van Wert independent/ODJFS information

Van Wert County’s unemployment rate dipped three-tenths of a percent in September, from 9.3 percent to 9.0 percent, the lowest rate seen since the economic recession began in mid-2008. While unemployment numbers remained the same as in August at 1,300 and the number of workers employed dropped 100, to 12,900, the total workforce numbers also decreased, from 14,200 to 14,000 for September.

Neighboring counties to Van Wert County saw similar results from August to September. Mercer County again led the area — and the state – with a jobless rate of 5.6 percent, down from 5.8 percent in August. Auglaize County was second lowest in the area with an unemployment rate of 7.2 percent, a decrease of two-tenths of a percent over August’s 7.4 percent figure. Putnam County was close behind with a jobless rate of 7.4 percent, which decrease of four-tenths of a percent — the largest drop of all area counties in September.

Paulding County was just ahead of Van Wert with an unemployment rate of 8.5 percent, down three-tenths of a percent from August’s 8.8 percent, while Allen County had the highest jobless rate in the area at 9.2 percent, which was still a decrease of three-tenths of a percent over August figures.

Among the state’s 88 counties, the September 2011 unemployment rates ranged from Mercer County’s 5.6 percent to a high of 15.1 percent in Pike County. Rates decreased in 73 of the 88 counties. In September, the comparable rate for Ohio was 8.5 percent.

Six counties had unemployment rates below 7.0 percent in September. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Mercer were: Geauga, 5.7; Medina, 6.1; Holmes, 6.2; and Delaware and Lake, 6.3 percent.

Four counties had unemployment rates above 12.0 percent during September. The counties with the highest rates, other than Pike, were: Meigs, 13.2; and Clinton and Scioto, 12.4 percent (click here for a full map with explanatory information).