All Ohio counties all see jobless rate hike

VW independent/ODJFS information

After several months of declining or stable unemployment numbers, Ohio saw a significant increase in unemployment during the month of January.

Unemployment increased in all 88 of Ohio’s counties, from a low rate of 4.2 percent in Mercer and Delaware counties, to a high of 11.2 percent in Adams County.

Here in Van Wert County, unemployment increased from a rate of 3.9 percent in December 2014, to 5.2 percent in January — an increase of 1.3 percent.

Estimated workforce numbers were up as well. According to estimates compiled by the ODJFS, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Van Wert County’s total workforce increased by 500 people, from 13,900 to 14,400, in January. The number of people employed also rose, from 13,400 in December 2014 to 13,600 in January, while unemployment was also up, from 500 people in December to 800 in January.

Similar numbers were seen in neighboring counties. Mercer County’s jobless rate rose from 3.0 percent in December to 4.2 percent in January; Auglaize County saw jobless numbers increase from 3.5 percent in December to 4.7 percent in January; Putnam County’s unemployment rate rose from 3.6 percent to 5.2 percent; Paulding County’s rate was up from 4.3 percent to 5.8 percent, while Allen County’s jobless rate increased from 4.6 percent in December to 6.1 percent in January.

Statewide, Mercer and Delaware counties had the lowest unemployment rate, followed by several counties with a jobless rate of 5.0 percent or less. They included Holmes County (4.4 percent), Hancock County (4.6 percent), Auglaize and Union counties (4.7 percent), Wyandot County (4.8 percent), Franklin County (4.9 percent) and Wayne County (5.0 percent).

In addition to Adams County, five counties had unemployment rates at or above 10.0 percent. They include Monroe County (11.1 percent), Meigs County (10.7 percent), Huron County (10.3 percent), Ottawa County (10.2 percent) and Pike County (10.0 percent).

The comparable unemployment rate for the state was 6.1 percent in January.