Jobless Numbers Jump In January

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 5:06 AM

January was not a good month for area job seekers. Numbers released Tuesday from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services show Hancock and the surrounding counties all saw unemployment jump in the first month of the year. Hancock County has the lowest rate in the region at 7%, up from 5.2% in December. Putnam County saw a 2% rise from December to January, checking in a 7.4% unemployment.

Elsewhere Allen County was at 9.1%, Hardin County at 8.5%, Henry County's rate hit double digits at 10%, Seneca County hit 8.9%, Wood County was at 8.1%, and Wyandot County saw a jobless rate of 8.8%.

Jobless rates almost always jump in January because of seasonal hiring in December. However The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says rates jumped a little more than normal.