Ohio jobless rate increases to 6.3%

COLUMBUS (AP) -- The state's unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in October, up from 6.0 percent in September.
The national unemployment rate for October was 5.5 percent, a 0.1 percentage point increase from September.
In the Mahoning Valley, the rates were: Mahoning County, 7.1 percent; Columbiana County, 6.8 percent; and Trumbull County, 7.7 percent.
Nearby Portage had 5.1 percent, and Stark had 6.1 percent.
"The increase in Ohio's unemployment rate for October reflects the fact that job growth did not occur at a level that would be expected this time of year," said Tom Hayes, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. "Job losses occurred in trade, transportation and utilities, manufacturing and leisure and hospitality industries."
Morgan County had the highest rate of unemployment in October, 16.6 percent, while Holmes County had the lowest rate at 3.2 percent.
The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in October was 373,000, up from 354,000 in September. The number of unemployed has increased by 19,000 over the year from 354,000. The October unemployment rate for Ohio was up from 6.0 percent in October 2003.
The county and city rates are unadjusted, meaning they do not take into account seasonal adjustments in employment.