LIMA — September’s unemployment rates for the region were fairly consistent with those of August, according to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.
Rates slightly increased in three of the five area counties.
Putnam County currently has the lowest unemployment rate at 3.3 percent, which is a slight increase from August’s rate of 3.1 percent.
Auglaize County’s unemployment rate is 3.4 percent, making it the second-lowest. Similar to Putnam County, September’s rate is slightly higher than August’s 3.3 percent.
Van Wert County’s unemployment currently sits at 3.5 percent. The county was one of two to have a decrease from August (3.7 percent).
Putnam, Auglaize and Van Wert Counties are among the 10 counties with the lowest rankings in the State of Ohio, as well as three of 10 counties with unemployment rates between 3 and 3.5 percent.
Allen County’s unemployment rate is 4.5 percent, an increase from 4.3 percent in August. The county has the largest labor force of the surrounding counties with 47,400 employees.
Hardin County has the highest unemployment rate of the surrounding counties at 4.8 percent. Last month, the county saw a 5 percent unemployment rate. The county has the smallest workforce of the surrounding counties with 13,300 employees.
Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351
