Jobless rates inch upward in Ohio, 25 other states
8/22/2009Ohio's jobless rate edged up to 11.2 percent in July, one of 26 states whose unemployment measures increased last month.
The state's rate, released yesterday, increased from 11.1 percent in June. It was lower than Michigan's 15 percent, which dropped from 15.2 percent in June. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 9.4 percent last month.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said employment last month increased 9,800 over the prior month, as hiring improved among service providers, particularly in the hospitality industry, educational, and health services. The number of unemployed climbed by 1,000 to 664,000 in July. The county and city unemployment rates for last month will be released Tuesday.
Fifteen states and the District of Columbia are suffering from unemployment rates above 10 percent. Michigan's rate was highest. Next worst were Rhode Island, at 12.7 percent; Nevada, 12.5 percent, and California, 11.9 percent.
The U.S. Labor Department said joblessness increased in 26 states and decreased in 17 states. Twenty-one states added jobs last month, including Michigan, with 38,100 added jobs.