November jobless rate in central Ohio holds steady at 6.1%
Central Ohio’s unemployment rate was unchanged last month as the slight decrease in the Franklin County rate was offset by increases in four of the region’s rural counties.
The metro area posted a jobless rate of 6.1 percent in November, which was the same as October, according to figures from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The region’s labor force numbered 981,900, up 6,400 from the previous month. Within that total, the number of people employed grew by 6,200, and the number of unemployed grew by 200.
“Things are getting better,” said Bill Lafayette, owner of local economic-consulting firm Regionomics. But he noted, “They’re not getting better to the extent that we would hope.”
A growing labor force is a positive sign, because it means more people are either looking for work or employed, he said. In a weak economy, the labor force tends to shrink as people either leave the market or give up looking for a job.
Since November 2012, the region’s labor force has grown by 9,400. The number of people employed grew by 1,400 and the number of unemployed grew by 8,000. The unemployment rate grew from 5.3 percent to 6.1 percent.
“In a case like that, the number of unemployed going up is actually a good sign, a sign of increased confidence” that there are jobs available, Lafayette said.
As usual, Delaware County had the lowest unemployment rate in the region with 5.2 percent, unchanged from October. Pickaway County was highest with 7.4 percent, up from 7?percent.
Franklin County’s rate was 6.1 percent, down from 6.2 percent.
Among the other counties: Fairfield, 6.1 percent, unchanged from October; Licking, 6.5 percent, down from
6.6 percent; Madison, 6.4 percent, up from 6.3 percent; Morrow, 7.1 percent, up from 6.5 percent; Union,
5.4 percent, up from 5.2 percent.
Ohio’s unemployment rate was 7.1 percent, up from 7 percent.
The rates are not adjusted to account for seasonal factors.
Applying seasonal adjustments, the state rate was
7.4 percent in November, down from 7.5 percent.
dgearino@dispatch.com
@dispatchenergy
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