County sees higher jobless percentage

Van Wert independent/ODJFS information

After several months of slightly declining unemployment rates, Van Wert County took a small blip upwards in January, according to figures released by the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. The county’s jobless rate increased from 10.6 in December 2010 to 10.8 in January of this year.

The increase was a trend seen among a number of neighboring counties, with all seeing increases of at least half a percentage point from December to January. In fact, 76 of 88 Ohio counties saw their unemployment percentage increase in January (click here for larger version).

Leading the area trend toward increases in unemployment were Allen and Paulding counties, which each rose a full percentage point, from 9.7 to 10.7 percent. Putnam County had a bigger increase, but started with a lower jobless rate. That county’s unemployment rose from 8.3 percent in December to 9.6 percent in January.

Auglaize County rose six-tenths of a percent from December to January, from 8.2 percent to 8.8 percent, while even Mercer County, which still managed to have the lowest jobless rate in the state, was hit with a half-percent increase, from 6.3 percent to 6.8 percent.

Among the state’s 88 counties, the January 2011 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 6.8 percent in Mercer County to a high of 18.9 percent in Ottawa County (see map at right). Rates increased in 76 of the 88 counties and decreased in 12 counties. In January, the comparable rate for Ohio was 10.1 percent.

Seven counties had unemployment rates below 8.5 percent in January. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Mercer were: Delaware and Holmes, 7.0; Franklin and Geauga, 8.3; and Hancock and Union, 8.4 percent.

Eight counties had unemployment rates at or above 15.0 percent during January. The counties with the highest rates, other than Ottawa, were: Pike, 16.7; Morgan, 16.1; Meigs, 15.8; Adams and Clinton, 15.4; Highland, 15.3; and Noble, 15.0 percent.

According to ODJFS statistics, Van Wert County had a total workforce of 14,300 people, with 12,800 of those employed and 1,500 without jobs.

Even with the increase, Van Wert County’s jobless rate was still significantly better than a year ago, when 15.2 percent of the workforce was unemployed.