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Affluent areas see jobless numbers grow

Statistics show suburban areas also feeling a significant impact from recession.

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By William Hershey, Columbus Bureau Updated 12:52 AM Thursday, July 22, 2010

COLUMBUS — Affluent counties like Delaware and Warren are used to leading Ohio in population growth.

Now they’re topping the state in a more dubious category: an increase in new weekly claims for unemployment benefits.

Between 1999 and 2010 Delaware and Warren counties had a bigger percentage increase in jobless claims than any of Ohio’s other 86 counties, far outstripping urban areas such as Montgomery County.

What does it mean? “The recession has been much broader and deeper than the ones we’ve had in the past,” said Cleveland economic analyst George Zeller, who did the study. “It’s certainly affecting the cities, (but) it’s also affecting the suburban areas.”

The report highlights how much the job picture has changed for residents in places where the misery of unemployment is less familiar. For a four-week period ending July 10, average unemployment claims in Delaware County increased fivefold, from 19 per week in 1999 to 102 in 2010. In Warren County, the claims nearly quadrupled, from 51 in 1999 to 194 this year.

Meanwhile, claims in Montgomery County during the four-week period rose from an average of 409 in 1999 to 650 in 2010.

The analysis doesn’t surprise Sue Miller, Family Services Director for Warren County Community Services Inc.

“Folks are struggling to get and retain employment,” said Miller. “We’re no different.”

Contact this reporter at  (614) 224-1608 or whershey @DaytonDailyNews.com.

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