LIMA — Four of the five area counties saw an increase in unemployment rate percentages from May to June. The ranges in rates varied from as little as 0.9% and as high as 2.6%.
Allen County gained 1,100 employees from May through June but lost 500, increasing the rate from 4.7 % to 5.6 %. The current rate is the highest of the year and a 1.4% increase from the beginning of the year. As it stands, there are now 2,700 unemployed people in the county. According to OhioMeansJobs, there are 1,829 jobs available within a 10-mile radius of Lima.
Auglaize County saw a huge jump in unemployment, the largest of the area. Of the 1,000 employees gained, 700 were lost. This increased the rate from 4% to 6.6%. According to Mercer County Outlook, “The most likely sharp increase was the shutdown of the Crown Equipment plans due to a cyerbattack.” Unemployment has soared nearly 2.3 times since the 2.9% reported in January.
Hardin County lost 200 employees resulting in rates going up. The 4% reported in May jumped to nearly 6.6% in June, 1.6 times the amount. The county had been consistent to this point, as its highest rate was 4.6% while averaging 4.4% per month.
Van Wert County saw an increase in unemployment. In May it was 3.4% and in June it rose to 4.6%. This is the highest the rate has been all year.
The lone county that did not see an increase in unemployment was that of Putnam County, which saw 500 employees added to the labor force while losing zero. As a result, the rate decreased from 3.6% to 3.5%. Putnam County has been the most consistent county in the area over the course of the year, adding only 106 to the unemployment count from the start of the year.
Ohio unemployment has raised from 3.6% to 4.4% so far in 2024. All counties are on pace for an overall increase after a year where unemployment decreased from 3.7% to 3.6%.
Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351 or [email protected]
