DARKE COUNTY – The unemployment rate in Darke County fell in February from January level, according to information released recently by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Office of Workforce Development, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Darke County’s estimated unemployment rate for February was 4.9 percent, compared to the estimated 5.2 percent in January.
County unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.
The statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February held steady with January’s numbers, at 4.9 percent. The rate in February 2015 was 5.1 percent.
The civilian labor force in Ohio grew in February to an estimated 5,754,000 from 5,720,000 in January. The labor force participation rate was estimated at 62.9 percent in February, up from 62.5 percent.
The U.S. unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted, held at the same level as the state, 4.9 percent, also unchanged from January. A year ago, in February 2015, the U.S. unemployment rate was 5.5 percent.An estimated 59.8 percent of the total population was working in February, nationwide.
The Darke County, the labor force in February was estimated at 26,500, with 25,200 of those employed.
Among the state’s 88 counties, preliminary February 2016 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 3.8 percent in Delaware County to a high of 12.9 percent in Monroe County. From January, unemployment rates increase in seven counties, decreased in 75 counties and did not change in six counties.
The comparable unemployment rate for Ohio (not seasonally adjusted) was 5.6 percent in February.
Four counties had unemployment rates at or below 4 percent in February. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Delaware, were Holmes and Mercer, 3.9 percent; and Auglaize, 4 percent.
Five counties had unemployment rates at or above 10 percent in February. The counties with the highest rates, other than Monroe, were Noble, 11 percent’ Morgan, 10.8 percent; Meigs, 10.2; and Adams, 10 percent.
Surrounding counties’ rates of unemployment for February 2016 were as follows: Auglaize, 4 percent, down from 4.3 percent in January; Mercer, 3.9 percent, down from 4 percent; Miami, 5 percent, down from 5.2 percent; Montgomery, 5.4 percent, down from 5.6 percent; Preble, 5.7 percent, down from 5.9 percent; and Shelby, 4.7 percent, down from 5.1 percent.
