COLUMBUS – The unemployment rate in central Ohio dropped to its lowest level in 16 years last month as workers rejoined the labor force and many found the jobs they were seeking.
The jobless rate in the 10-county Columbus area was 3.4 percent last month, the lowest since October 2001, according to data released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Unemployment in Ohio’s 5 largest cities (April 2017)
Columbus……….3.5
Cincinnati ………4.0
Dayton…………. 5.0
Toledo……………5.9
Cleveland……….7.2
Employers added only 600 jobs, but the number of workers receiving unemployment benefits fell to 36,500, also matching October 2001’s figure. Since January, the number of unemployed workers have fallen by 13,700 while the area’s work force has grown by 13,000 to 1.06 million.
In the past 12 months, central Ohio employers have added 26,600 jobs and nearly 22,000 workers have joined the labor force.
Columbus again enjoyed the lowest jobless rate among Ohio’s largest cities at 3.5 percent.