The unemployment rate in Fulton County edged higher in December, according to data released Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The jobless rate in Fulton County increased to 4.9 in December from 4.3 percent in November. In December 2014, the unemployment rate was 5 percent in the county.
Out of an estimated labor force of 22,500, there were 1,100 unemployed, according to the figures.
Ohio’s unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in December 2015, up from 4.5 percent in November. Ohio’s nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 15,200 over the month, from a revised 5,436,300 in November to 5,451,500 in December 2015.
The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in December was 269,000, up 14,000 from 255,000 in November. The number of unemployed has decreased by 23,000 in the past 12 months from 292,000. The December unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 5.1 percent in December 2014.
Among the state’s 88 counties, preliminary December 2015 unemployment rates ranged from a low of 3.1 percent in Mercer County to a high of 10.7 percent in Monroe County. From November, unemployment rates increased in 68 counties, decreased in six counties, and did not change in 14 counties.
Eight counties had unemployment rates at or below 3.5 percent in December. The counties with the lowest rates, other
than Mercer were: Holmes and Medina, 3.2; Delaware and Geauga, 3.3; Wyandot, 3.4; Auglaize and Union, 3.5 percent.
Five counties had unemployment rates at or above 8.0 percent in December. The counties with the highest rates, other than Monroe were: Noble, 8.9; Morgan, 8.6; Meigs, 8.1; and Adams, 8.0 percent.
The U.S. unemployment rate for December was 5.0 percent, unchanged from November and down from 5.6 percent in December 2014.
Drew Stambaugh can be reached at 419-335-2010
