Mahoning Valley unemployment numbers continued to drop in January

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning Valley’s unemployment continued to drop in January.

In fact, the nonseasonally adjusted rate decreased by 1.6 percent from 8.9 percent in January 2014 to 7.3 percent in January 2015, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ data that was today.

The data shows a drop in the civilian labor force by 2,000. Employment went from 226,200 in January 2014 to 231,500 in January 2015. Unemployment saw a decrease of 4,000 when it went from 22,100 in January 2014 to 18,100 in January 2015.

All three counties — Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana — saw a decrease in their respective unemployment rates.

Mahoning’s rate went from 8.8 percent in January 2014 to 7.1 percent in January 2015. Trumbull’s rate went from 9.2 percent in January 2014 to 7.5 percent in January 2015. And Columbiana’s rate went from 8.5 percent down to 7.1 percent.

Ohio’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January was 5.1 percent. The U.S. rate was 5.7 percent.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com