It is no secret that 2011 has not been kind to Athens County in terms of hunger and poverty rates, outgaining the national average in both categories.
Despite economic woes, however, the fall season has proven to be fruitful — annually reducing unemployment numbers in the county, as well as the state.
For the month of August, unemployment dropped more than a full percentage point from 10.8 percent to 9.6 percent.
The total labor force in Athens County was 28,400 individuals in August, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
July’s unemployment rate was 10.8 percent, up from 10.6 percent in June.
There were 3,769 business “firms” registered in Athens County in 2007, and residents of Athens County had a median household income of $30,823 in 2009.
Though the unemployment statistics are not technically negative, they must be viewed in context.
“There is a large workforce of people who want to work,” said Nick Claussen, community relations coordinator for Athens County Job and Family Services.
Although Athens County has one of the highest percentages of employed citizens in the state, Claussen explained that much of Athens’ employment is low-paying and doesn’t provide benefits such as health care insurance.
He also said there are not many manufacturing jobs, which end up paying higher salaries and many benefits, including health care.
Another reason for the drop in the unemployment rate is that OU and Hocking College have been hiring employees necessary while school is in session. Local businesses also begin hiring as they transition from a slow summer to a busy fall.
“People even come into Athens from the neighboring counties just to work for the schools,” Claussen said.
—Will Drabold contributed to this article.
as299810@ohiou.edu
