The unemployment rates in Summit County and its two largest cities fell in October but were higher than a year ago.
Summit County’s unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in October, down from 7 percent in September but up from 6 percent a year ago.
Akron had a 7.5 percent unemployment rate last month, down from 7.7 percent in September and up from 6.6 percent in October 2012.
Cuyahoga Falls had an unemployment rate of 6.2 percent last month, down from 6.5 percent in September and up from 5.9 percent a year ago.
The state said rates declined in 74 of Ohio’s 88 counties last month. Rates ranged from a low of 4.3 percent in Mercer County to a high of 12 percent in Meigs County.
Rates were not adjusted to take into account seasonal factors.
The comparable state rate was 7 percent; the comparable U.S. unemployment rate in October was also 7 percent. When seasonally adjusted, Ohio had a 7.5 percent unemployment rate and the nation had a 7.3 percent rate.
Elsewhere:
• Cuyahoga County’s unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in October, the same as in September and up from 6.5 percent a year ago. Cleveland’s jobless rate was 8.7 percent, down from 8.8 percent in September and up from 8.3 percent a year ago.
• Medina County’s jobless rate was 5.6 percent last month, the same as in September and up from 5.2 percent in October 2012.
• Portage County’s unemployment rate fell to 6.7 percent in October from 6.8 percent in September and was up from 5.9 percent a year ago.
• Stark County’s unemployment rate fell to 7.2 percent last month from 7.5 percent in September and was up from 6.4 percent a year ago. Canton’s jobless rate was 8.6 percent, down from 8.9 percent in September and up from 7.5 percent a year ago.
• Wayne County’s unemployment rate fell to 6 percent in October from 6.4 percent in September and was up from 5.3 percent in October 2012.
Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com