County jobless rate back down in July

VW independent/ODJFS information

Unemployment continues to improve in Van Wert County, with the jobless rate falling two-tenths of a percent in July, according to information released Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Statewide, unemployment was about evenly mixed, as the jobless rate decreased in 32 counties, increased in 29 counties and stayed the same in 27 counties. The same trend was seen in the area, where two counties had lower unemployment, three saw unemployment increase and one county’s jobless rate stayed the same.

Van Wert County reversed its June trend, which saw unemployment rise from 4.1 percent to 4.3 percent. In July, county unemployment decreased from 4.3 percent to 4.1 percent. The workforce totals also decreased, from 14,800 to 14,700, while the number of people employed also decreased 100 people, from 14,200 to 14,100, while unemployment stayed the same at 600 people. The unemployment rate a year ago was 5.3 percent.

Mercer County again led the area and the state with an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent, down from 3.4 percent in June. Auglaize County saw a slight increase, from 3.7 percent in June to 3.8 percent last month, while Putnam County’s jobless rate stayed the same at 3.8 percent. Paulding County’s unemployment jumped two-tenths of a percent, from 4.8 percent to 5.0 percent, while Allen County’s jobless rate was also up, from 4.8 percent in June to 4.9 percent last month.

Elsewhere around the state, 10 counties had unemployment rates at or below 4.0 percent in July. In addition to Mercer, Auglaize and Putnam counties, those counties with low unemployment include Delaware and Holmes counties, 3.5 percent; Wyandot County, 3.6 percent; Hancock, Madison and Union counties, 3.9 percent; and Wayne County, 4.0 percent.

On the other end of the spectrum, nine counties had unemployment rates at or above 7.0 percent in July. Those counties include Monroe County, 9.9 percent; Meigs County, 8.3 percent; Adams County, 7.7 percent; Scioto County, 7.6 percent; Jefferson County, 7.4 percent; Jackson and Pike counties, 7.3 percent; and Athens and Noble counties, 7.0 percent.