According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio’s unemployment rate slightly increased in December to 4. 7%, compared to 4.5% last month. Last December, Ohio’s unemployment rate was 5.1%.The overall U.S. unemployment rate in December was 5.0%, a decrease from 5.6% in December 2014.
Despite, the overall increase in employment numbers statewide, manufacturing and construction industries saw growth of 3,200 and 500 more jobs respectively during the month of December. From December 2014 to December 2015, construction added 1,000 jobs in Ohio.
From December 2014-2015, other industries that experienced gains included: leisure and hospitality, financial activities, professional and business services, information, educational and health services, and trade/transportation/utilities.
ACT Ohio’s October blog post discussed the decrease in local and state government jobs, and unfortunately this trend persists. From December 2014-2015, government jobs increased at the local and federal level, and decreased at the state level. However, in December, 500 federal jobs were gained, with 1,100 local government jobs and 100 state government jobs lost.
