Mercer and Auglaize Counties Rank Among Ohio’s Lowest for July Unemployment

The Grand Lake region remained among Ohio’s leaders for low unemployment in July, with Mercer County recording the state’s second lowest jobless rate and Auglaize County ranking sixth.

According to figures released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Mercer County’s unemployment rate was 2.4 percent. Only Holmes County had a lower rate, at 2.3 percent.

Auglaize County’s rate was 2.7 percent. Both Grand Lake region counties were below the reported statewide rate of 3.4 percent.

Elsewhere in the area, Putnam County recorded a rate of 2.8 percent. Van Wert and Shelby counties each posted 2.9 percent, tying with Madison and Delaware counties for the state’s 10th lowest rate. Paulding County’s rate was 3 percent, while Allen County stood at 3.6 percent.

Across Ohio, 19 counties had unemployment rates at or below 3 percent. Trumbull County recorded the highest rate at 5 percent.

Unemployment rates decreased from June in 78 of Ohio’s 88 counties, increased in one and remained unchanged in nine.