Toledo, Lucas County unemployment rates hold steady

Rates significantly lower compared to 2013

6/24/2014
BLADE STAFF

Lucas County‘‍s unemployment rate held steady from April to May at 5.7 percent, state officials said Tuesday. The unemployment rate within the city of Toledo was also unchanged, at 6.2 percent. 

The figures come from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which provide estimates for all 88 counties and a handful of major cities. 

Both Toledo and Lucas County’‍s May unemployment rates are significantly lower than they were in 2013. The state said Lucas County‘‍s unemployment rate a year ago was 8.2 percent, while Toledo’‍s was 8.9 percent. 

Because the data are not seasonally adjusted, experts say year-over-year comparisons tell a more accurate story than month-to-month changes.

Ottawa County, which relies heavily on jobs tied to tourism, had the biggest drop from April to May. The unemployment rate there fell to 5.6 percent in May from 7.4 in April. A year ago in May, the unemployment rate was 7.9 percent. 

Fulton County‘‍s rate also dropped in May to 5.1 percent from 5.7 percent in April. A year ago Fulton County’‍s unemployment rate was 7.5 percent.

Wood County‘‍s rate was unchanged from April to May at 4.9 percent. A year ago in May, the county’‍s unemployment rate was an estimated 7.1 percent. 

— Tyrel Linkhorn