Ohio's jobless rate highest since 1992
Friday, September 19, 2008
COLUMBUS — Ohio's unemployment rate increased to 7.4 percent in August, the highest state jobless rate since October of 1992, according to data released on Friday, Sept. 19, by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The August unemployment rate was up slightly from 7.2 percent in July and more than a point higher than the 5.7 percent rate in August of 2007.
The U.S. jobless rate for August was 6.1 percent, up from 5.7 percent in July.
"Ohio's labor market continued to mirror the national trend by showing signs of decline in August," Helen Jones-Kelley, ODJFS directors, said in a press release. "Larger decreases in the goods-producing sectors resulted from continued losses in manufacturing and durable goods."
Overall, Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employed dropped by 3,700 over the month, from 5,410,500 in July to 5,406,800 in August.
The number of unemployed workers in the state in August was 445,000, up from 432,000 in July.
During the past 12 months, the number of unemployed has increased by 106,000, from 339,000.
The unemployment news comes against the backdrop of a gloomy national economy, declining state tax returns and a continuing state budget crisis that saw Gov. Ted Strickland announce $540 million in budget adjustments last week, including $198 million in spending cuts.
Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.
