COLUMBUS – Central Ohio enjoyed the lowest unemployment rate of all of Ohio’s largest metropolitan areas in March, 4.0 percent, down from 4.5 percent in February, according to data released Tuesday.
With Delaware (3.3 percent), Union (3.6) and Franklin (3.9) setting the pace, the 10-county region recorded its lowest unemployment rate since December’s 3.9 percent and its second straight decline, according to a monthly report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The state reported that 1.02 million central Ohioans were working in March while 42,300 were looking for jobs.
The region’s unemployment rate was well below the statewide rate of 5.1 percent in March, which accompanied an uptick in the labor force, signaling a growth of confidence among workers.
Perry County, at 6.7 percent, turned in the region’s highest jobless rate.
Cleveland, at 6.3 percent, suffered under the highest jobless rate of all of Ohio’s largest metro areas.