COLUMBUS – The statewide unemployment rate in Ohio inched downward in September even as first-time claims for benefits rebounded, an indication that the economy continues its halting recovery from the coronavirus shutdown, though job losses remain a hindrance.
Ohio’s unemployment rate was 8.4% in September, down from 8.9% in August as employers added 41,500 jobs, according to data released Friday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The number of Ohioans who were employed increased from a revised 5.15 million in August to 5.19 million while the number of unemployed workers dropped by 38,000 to 472,000. The number of Ohioans filing continuing unemployment claims during the week that ended Oct. 10 was 41,466 fewer than it was on Sept. 5.
The unemployment rate for Ohio was more than double the rate a year ago after the state’s businesses and employers shut down and Ohioans remained at home for several months to stem the spread of COVID-19.
The U.S. unemployment rate for September was 7.9%, up from 3.5% in September 2019.