SIDNEY– From April to May, unemployment rates in Ohio counties did not change much.
Unemployment was 4.3 percent in Shelby County in May, up from the 4.2 percent in April, according to the latest data from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Office of Workforce Development, Bureau of Labor Market Information.
The county unemployment rate in May 2014 was 4.8 percent, which is not seasonally adjusted.
Ohio’s unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in May, the same percent as in April and down from 5.4 percent in May 2014.
Nationwide the unemployment rate for May was 5.5 percent, up from 5.4 percent in April and down from 6.3 percent in May 2014.
Among the state’s 88 counties, preliminary May 2015 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 3.1 percent in Mercer County to a high of 9.4 percent in Monroe County. The comparable unemployment rate for Ohio was 4.9 percent in May.
Four counties had unemployment rates below 3.5 percent in May. The counties with the lowest rates, other than Mercer were: Delaware, Holmes, and Wyandot, 3.4 percent.
Seven counties had unemployment rates at or above 7.0 percent in May. The counties with the highest rates, other than Monroe, were Meigs, 7.4 percent; Scioto, 7.1 percent; Adams, Jackson, Jefferson, and Noble, 7.0 percent.
Sorrounding counties’ unemployment rates for May (compared to the April rates) were as follows: Allen, 4.6 (up from 4.5); Auglaize, 3.6 (up from 3.5); Champaign, 4.2 (up from 4.0); Darke, 3.9 (down from 4.0); Logan, 4.0 (up from 3.9); Mercer, 3.1 (up from 2.9); and Miami, 4.2 (up from 4.1).
Reach this writer at 937-538-4825; follow on Twitter @SDNAlexandraN
