Licking County employment again tops all-time high

• Licking County employment reached an all-time high of 85,200 in October, up 3,200 from a year ago.
• The county's civilian labor force increased by 1,400 from September to October.

NEWARK - For the fifth time this year, Licking County set an all-time high for employment, reaching 85,200 people employed in October.

The unemployment rate in Licking County remained at 3.8 percent for a third consecutive month as the labor force increased by 1,400 from September to October. The civilian labor force counts people who are employed and who are unemployed but actively seeking work.

The October employment topped the previous high of 85,100 in July. Employment increased by 3,200 compared to one year ago, when it was 81,800.

"People are feeling more confident about the economy and job growth, and we're seeing wages increase here as well," said Windy Murphy, supervisor of business services for OhioMeansJobs/Licking County. "People that have positions are looking at what's out there that's competitive."

The workforce increased to 88,600, just shy of the July all-time county record of 89,000. The workforce was 85,300 in October 2014.

As baby boomers leave the workforce, even more job openings will emerge, Murphy said.

"I think we'll see a trend of those people starting to retire," Murphy said. "The rebound in the economy encouraged them to retire. They feel more comfortable about retiring. They were eligible and had not retired."

The comparable October unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) were 4.2 percent in Ohio and 4.8 percent in the U.S.

Of Ohio's 88 counties, 34 posted an unemployment rate below 4 percent, including Fairfield (3.7), Franklin (3.6) and Delaware (3.1), according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Other adjacent counties were: Knox, 4.1 percent; Muskingum, 5.4 percent; Perry, 5.6 percent; and Coshocton, 5.7 percent.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @kmallett1958