Marion County’s unemployment rate increased slightly in December 2012 to 7.2 percent up from 7.0 percent in November 2012. The increase comes with the same number of people unemployed, but fewer people in the available workforce. In fact, the available workforce reached is lowest number in over 23 years.
The increase for Marion County also comes the same month that the statewide rate decreased by 0.1 percent. One reason for that difference is that the statewide rate is seasonally adjusted and the local rate is not.
Marion County’s unemployment rate stood at 8.4 percent a year ago.
According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Marion County had an available workforce (or Labor Force) of 29,300 in December 2012. 27,200 of those were employed with 2,100 reporting as unemployed.
The available workforce for Marion County has bounced around over the past few months, but the December 2012 number is 200 fewer than November 2012. The number of unemployed was unchanged resulting in the overall rate increase.
However, Marion County’s available workforce of 29,300 is the lowest since June 1989. The local available workforce was at 33,000 the summer of 2007 just prior to the start of the economic recession.
The available workforce (or Civilian Labor Force) is comprised by civilians 16 years of age and over who are working or seeking work. It excludes military personnel, persons in institutions, those studying or keeping house full-time, persons who are retired or unable to work, and volunteer workers.
The rates for counties surrounding Marion were mixed with some up, some down, and some which stayed even.
County – Dec-12 – Nov-12 – Dec-11
Crawford – 7.8 – 7.6 – 9.9
Delaware – 4.3 – 4.5 – 5.2
Hardin – 6.3 – 6.3 – 8.5
Marion – 7.2 – 7.0 – 8.4
Morrow – 6.7 – 6.5 – 8.3
Union – 5.1 – 5.1 – 5.9
Wyandot – 6.4 – 6.2 – 9.1
Ohio’s unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in December 2012, down slightly from 6.8 percent in November. The rate decrease comes from people leaving the available workforce, not because of more people finding jobs.
The U.S. unemployment rate for December was 7.8 percent, unchanged from November, and down from 8.5 percent in December 2011.
You can learn more about the statewide rate by clicking here.
To view rates for all 88 Ohio counties, click here.
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