Local unemployment rate bumps up a bit

Central Ohio’s jobless rate edged higher in October as the workforce swelled with people starting to look for holiday jobs.

The 3.7 percent rate last month was up from 3.6 percent in September, according to state data released Tuesday.

Despite the bump, the unemployment rate for the Columbus area remains the lowest among the state’s metro areas. Cincinnati had the next lowest rate at 3.9 percent.

The central Ohio workforce grew by 18,100 people in October. Of that number, 15,400 found work.

County and metro REGIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT

County Delaware Fairfield Franklin Hocking Licking Madison Morrow Perry Pickaway Union

Sept. 3.2% 3.7% 3.6% 4.1% 3.6% 3.5% 4.0% 4.6% 3.7% 3.2%

Oct. 3.3% 3.8% 3.8% 4.2% 3.8% 3.8% 4.3% 4.8% 3.9% 3.4% unemployment data are not adjusted for seasonal differences, which can lead to big monthly swings in the data.

But even seasonal adjustments by economist Bill LaFayette, owner of local economics consulting firm Regionomics, shows a biggerthan-expected increase in the labor force.

Central Ohio warehouses need more than 12,000 short-term workers for the holidays. To get them, they’ve been raising pay, offering paid holidays and merchandise discounts.

“At least, they’re attracting people into the workforce,” LaFayette said.

LaFayette said hiring was strong last month in leisure and hospitality, private education and health care, and professional and business services.

His seasonal adjustments show the central Ohio jobless rate was 4 percent last month, up from 3.3 percent in September, but closer to the 3.8 percent rate of August.

The city of Columbus and Franklin County had an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent in October. Franklin County was one of seven counties in the metro area with jobless rates below 4 percent last month.

Delaware County had the lowest rate in the region at 3.3 percent.

Rates rose in 84 of Ohio’s 88 counties last month. Rates fell in one county and remained the same in three others.

Mercer County in northwest Ohio had the lowest rate in the state at 2.7 percent and Adams County in southern Ohio had the highest rate at 6.5 percent.