Jobless rate rises

Hancock County's unemployment rate rose to 3.2% in October from 3% in September. Jobless rates rose in 85 of Ohio's 88 counties in October, the State Job and Family Services Department reported. Hancock County's unemployment rate was ninth lowest in the state last month. Wyandot County was tied with Holmes County last month for lowest rate in the state, 2.8%. Putnam County was tied with Mercer County last month for third lowest rate in the state, 2.9%. Jobless rates in area counties in October, with September rates in parentheses, and then October 2021 rates were: • Allen County, 4.5% (4.1%); October 2021, 4.3%. • Hancock County, 3.2% (3%); October 2021, 3.2%. • Hardin County, 4% (4%); October 2021, 4%. • Henry County, 4% (3.7%); October 2021, 3.5%. • Putnam County, 2.9% (2.8%); October 2021, 2.5%. • Seneca County, 4.1% (3.7%); October 2021, 3.5%. • Wood County, 3.5% (3.4%); October 2021, 3.4%. • Wyandot County, 2.8% (2.6%); October 2021, 2.8%. The highest unemployment rate in the state was in Monroe County, in southeastern Ohio, 6.1%. The statewide jobless rate, which is seasonally adjusted, rose to 4.2% in October from 4% in September. But it was lower than a year earlier, 4.5% in October 2021. The nationwide unemployment rate, which is seasonally adjusted, rose to 3.7% in October from 3.5% in September. That was down from 4.6% in October 2021.