By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Unemployment figures for August 2025 have been released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, showing broad improvement across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
After several months of increases, most counties in the region saw their jobless rates decline in August, signaling renewed economic stability heading into fall.
Fulton County’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.2% in August, down from 5.4% in July. Williams County showed similar progress, easing to 5.3% after reaching 5.5% the previous month. Defiance County recorded one of the lowest rates in Northwest Ohio at 4.8%, improving from 5.3% in July.
Henry County fell slightly to 4.9%, while Wood and Hancock Counties both matched that figure at 4.9%, each showing modest improvement from earlier in the summer.
Paulding County registered 4.7%, maintaining one of the most stable employment environments in the region.
Putnam County once again posted the lowest unemployment rate in Northwest Ohio at 3.7%, remaining well below the state and national averages. Seneca County came in at 5.2%, while Sandusky County stood at 5.7%, both slightly improved from July. Ottawa County reported 5.0%, down notably from 5.6% the month before.
Lucas County saw the most significant improvement, with unemployment dropping to 6.3% from 7.4% in July. Despite the decline, it remains higher than the surrounding counties.
Across Ohio, unemployment decreased to 4.9% in August, down from 5.5% in July. Nationally, the U.S. rate improved slightly as well, moving from 4.6% to 4.5%.
Looking to our neighbors up north, Southeast Michigan also reflected a positive trend. Monroe County’s unemployment rate declined to 6.2% from 6.6% in July, Lenawee County fell to 5.5% after sitting at 6.3%, and Hillsdale County held steady at 5.4%.
Michigan’s statewide unemployment rate stood at 5.2% for August, showing modest progress as regional economies continue to adjust.