Unemployment percentages fall sharply in northwest Ohio

5/23/2012

Unemployment rates declined markedly in northwest Ohio in April, according to statistics released Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

The Lucas County jobless rate was 8.2 percent, down from 8.6 percent in March and 9.5 percent in April, 2011.

Toledo's rate was 8.9 percent, compared with 9.2 percent in March and 10.3 percent a year earlier.

The city and county rates are not seasonally adjusted. Statewide, the county rates ranged from a low of 4.5 percent in Mercer County to a high of 13.5 percent in Pike County. The rates declined in 86 of 88 counties last month.

In Wood County, the unemployment rate was 7.3 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from March. In Fulton County, it was 8 percent, down from 9.6 percent.

Ottawa County experienced one of the biggest improvements in the state, falling to 10.1 percent in April from 13 percent in March. The county relies on tourism and seasonal employment.

Ohio's rate was 7.4 percent, down from 7.5 percent a month earlier.

The national unemployment rate was 8.1 percent in April, down from 8.2 percent in March.