Local Unemployment Rates Rise in May
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Youngstown's unemployment rate was among the highest for Ohio's cities last month, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported today.
The city's 9.6% unemployment rate in May was third highest among Ohio's cities, following Zanesville's 10.1% jobless rate and East Cleveland's 9.9% rate. Youngstown's unemployment rate also was up from 9.4% in April and from 9.2% in May 2012. Warren's rate was 7.7% in May, up slightly from 7.6% in April and up from 7.1% in May 2012.
The unemployment rate for the local metropolitan statistical area was also among the highest in the state last month. The Youngstown-Warren MSA's unemployment rate was 7.8%, behind the Steubenville-Weirton MSA's 9.3%. The Ohio-only portion of the metro area, which covers Mahoning and Trumbull counties, was 7.7%, tied with the Toledo MSA.
Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties all posted similar unemployment rates for May. Mahoning and Columbiana both reported 7.7% unemployment rates last month, slightly higher than Trumbull's 7.6% rate. Columbiana's rate was up from 7.4% a year earlier and up from 7.5% in April. In Mahoning, the May rate was up slightly from 7.6% a month earlier and up from 7.2% in May 2012. Trumbull's rate last month was unchanged from April's 7.6% but up from 7.0% in May 2012.
Nonfarm payroll in the metro area totaled 228,300 jobs in May, up 3,500 from April. The goods-producing sector added 700 jobs and private services added 2,700 jobs, with gains in leisure and hospitality (1,300), education and health services (900) and trade, transportation and utilities (300). A 300-job gain in local government offset a 100-job loss in state and local government.
Over the year, nonagricultural wage and salary employment declined by 200 positions, according to the monthly report. Goods-producing industries decreased by 1,400 jobs, with 1,100 of those positions lost in manufacturing and, and mining, logging and construction declining by 300. Private-sector service employment added 1,800 positions, with gains in education and health services (up 1,000) leisure and hospitality (up 900) and utilities (up 500). Government employment declined by 600 positions, mostly due to a 500-job loss in state government.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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