Unemployment continues to rise

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SIDNEY — Ohio’s unemployment rate was 5.4 percent in August 2017, up .2 percent from July’s 5.2 percent figure.

The August unemployment rate for Ohio rose .5 percent from the August 2016 rate.

Unemployment seems to be dropping in Shelby County. The August rate, 4.3 percent, fell .1 point from July’s 4.4 percent and is the same as June’s rate, according to the latest data from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Office of Workforce Development, Bureau of Labor Market Information.

The U.S. unemployment rate for August 2017 was 4.4 percent, 0.1 percentage point higher than in July 2017, and 0.5 percentage point lower than in August 2016.

Among the state’s 88 counties, preliminary August 2017 unemployment rates, not seasonally adjusted, ranged from a low of 3.2 percent in Mercer County to a high of 8.5 percent in Meigs County. From July, unemployment rates increased in five counties, decreased in 75, and remained the same in eight counties. The comparable unemployment rate for Ohio was 5.3 percent in August.

Eleven counties had unemployment rates at or below 4 percent in August. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Mercer were: Holmes and Putnam, 3.6 percent; Wyandot, 3.7 percent; Delaware, 3.8 percent; Auglaize, Hancock, and Union, 3.9 percent; and Madison, Van Wert, and Wayne, 4 percent.

Eight counties had unemployment rates at or above 7 percent in August. The counties with the highest rates, other than Meigs were: Monroe, 7.9 percent; Lorain, 7.3 percent; Scioto, 7.1 percent; Adams, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, and Jefferson, 7 percent.

Surrounding counties’ unemployment rates for August (compared to July rates) were as follows: Allen, 5.1 (down from 5.9); Auglaize, 3.9 (down from 4.2); Champaign, 4.4 (down from 5.1); Darke, 4.3 (down from 4.5); Logan 4.2 (down from 4.5); Mercer, 3.2 (down from 3.5); and Miami, 4.5 (down from 4.6).

Area counties see a drop in joblessness while state average continues to rise.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/09/web1_Unemployment-Aug..jpgArea counties see a drop in joblessness while state average continues to rise.

By Heather Willard

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4825.

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