May jobless rate climbs in Lucas, Wood counties
6/21/2011The unemployment rates in Lucas and Wood counties rose last month, but fell in many other northwest Ohio counties.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said Tuesday that the jobless rate for Lucas climbed to 9.5 percent in May, up from 9.3 percent in April, and for Wood County rose to 8.7 percent, up from 8.5 percent the month before. The latest rates were well below the rates for May, 2010.
The rate in Toledo also increased, to 9.9 percent in May, up from 9.7 percent in April but lower than 11.5 percent a year earlier. The report shows 14,300 unemployed in Toledo and 20,800 jobless in Lucas County.
Unemployment rates fell in Ottawa County, to 9.9 percent last month from 12.5 percent the month before, and in Fulton County, to 9.4 percent from 9.7 percent. The picture was mixed for other area counties, with some rates rising and others falling.
The statewide rate, released last week, was unchanged in May at 8.6 percent. The national rate, released more than two weeks ago, was 9.1 percent in May, up from 9 percent in April.