Unemployment rate up in 78 counties

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DARKE COUNTY — Unemployment numbers increased in 78 of Ohio’s 88 counties from May to June, including Darke County. The local unemployment rate rose from 3.9 in May to 4.2 percent in June, according to information just released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Office of Workforce Development, Bureau of Labor Market Information.

Darke County’s unemployment rate in June was the 13th best in the state, falling two positions from its May ranking. County unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

The statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 5.2 percent from May to June, which is 0.4 percent better than the rate a year ago.

The civilian labor force in Ohio decreased by about 13,000, from an estimated 5,752,000 workers in May to about 5,739,000 in June, with the labor force participation rate estimated at 62.8 percent. The population of working age people in the state grew by about 5,000 in June.

The U.S. unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted, was 5.3 percent in June, down from 5.5 percent in May. A year ago, in June 2014, unemployment was at 6.1 percent nationwide.

In Darke County, the labor force in June was estimated at 26,500 people, with 25,400 of those listed as employed. The size of the labor force increased by about 500 from May to June, so even though the number of people employed increased by about 400, job growth did not keep up with the growth in the labor pool.

Among the state’s 88 counties, preliminary June 2015 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 3.4 percent in Mercer County to a high of 9.6 percent in Monroe County. From May, unemployment rates increased in 78 counties, decreased in three counties and stayed the same in seven counties. The comparable (not seasonally adjusted) rate for Ohio was 5.2 percent in June.

Ten counties had unemployment rates at or below 4.0 percent in June. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Mercer, were Delaware and Wyandot, 3.6 percent; Auglaize and Holmes, 3.7 percent; Putnam, 3.8 percent; Hancock and Union, 3.9 percent; and Madison and Wayne, 4.0 percent.

Ten counties had unemployment rates at or above 7.0 percent in June. The counties with the highest rates, other than Monroe, were Meigs, 8.1 percent; Adams, 7.7 percent; Scioto, 7.5 percent; Jackson, 7.4 percent; Jefferson, 7.2 percent; Athens and Pike, 7.1 percent; and Lorain and Noble, 7.0 percent.

Surrounding counties’ rate of unemployment for June 2015 were as follows: Auglaize, 3.7 percent; Mercer, 3.4; Miami, 4.4; Montgomery, 5.1; Preble; 4.7 and Shelby, 4.4.

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By Rachel Lloyd

[email protected]

The writer can be reached at 937-569-4354 or on Twitter @RachelLloydGDA.

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