Beth Sergent

bsergent@heartlandpublications.com

OHIO VALLEY — After being on the decline, unemployment rates in Mason County were on the rise for November while Gallia and Meigs counties continued to see declines in those searching for work.

Mason County went from an unemployment rate of 10.7 percent in October to 11 percent in November. However, after having the second highest unemployment rate in the state for several months, Mason County actually dropped to number three, behind Webster County at 11.4 percent and Pocahontas County at 12.3 percent – the highest in the state. In November 2010, Mason County’s unemployment rate was 13 percent.

Overall, West Virginia’s unemployment rate declined in November, falling two-tenths of a percentage point to 7.1 percent. There were 38 counties reporting declining unemployment rates with Monongalia having the lowest rate at 4.6 percent.

Despite a slow economy, unemployment rates continued to fall in both Meigs and Gallia counties. Gallia County had an unemployment rate of eight percent in November, down from October’s 9.2 percent. This meant Gallia County ranked 42 out of Ohio’s 88 counties in terms of unemployment rates – in October it ranked 34.

Unemployment rates in Meigs County also continued to fall, going from 12.6 percent in October to 11.3 percent in November. This meant Meigs County finally dropped out of the number two slot, in terms of the highest unemployment rates in Ohio, and landed in fourth place out of 88 counties. Preceding Meigs were Scioto County with 11.5 percent, Ottawa County with 11.9 percent and Pike County with 13.9 percent – the highest in the state.

Overall, Ohio’s unemployment rate declined in November, going from nine percent in October to 8.5 percent. Unemployment rates decreased in 85 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Mercer County had the lowest unemployment rate at 4.9 percent, followed by Holmes County with 5.2 percent, Delaware and Geauga counties with 5.5 percent and Medina County with 5.8 percent.