Ohio’s unemployment rate increases for 5th straight month, though filled jobs also increase

COLUMBUS, Ohio — New state economic data released Friday shows that Ohio added jobs in July, but it also shows that the Ohio unemployment rate increased for the fifth straight month.

Ohio gained 2,200 full- and part-time jobs during July from the revised June estimate, increasing the total employment to 5,669,700 jobs, according to figures released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Ohio’s unemployment rate was 4.5% in July, up from 4.4% in June. The state unemployment rate has steadily increased since it was 3.7% in both January and February.

Before these last few months, Ohio’s unemployment rate had been under 4% for 16 straight months and had even dipped as low as 3.3%, a record-low for the state.

Separate factors make it possible for the unemployment rate to go up at the same time the jobs count is increasing.

The jobs count is based on the number of jobs, full- or part-time, in Ohio. The unemployment rate is based on the employment status of Ohioans working or looking for work.

Sean McDonnell is the business reporter for cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer. You can reach him at smcdonnell@cleveland.com.