OHIO VALLEY — Unemployment went down in Meigs and Mason counties but rose slightly in Gallia County, according to the latest statistics released for August.

Starting on the West Virginia side of the river, Mason County’s unemployment went from 12.1 percent in July to 10.7 percent in August. In July, Mason County had the state’s highest unemployment rate but in August it dropped to fourth out of 55 counties in terms of the highest unemployment. Preceding Mason County was Clay County with 11.5 percent unemployment, Webster County with 11.6 percent unemployment and Boone County with 11.9 percent unemployment - the highest in the state. Unemployment rates climbed in 29 counties.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates in West Virginia were Pendelton at 5.9 percent, Preston at 5.8 percent, Monroe at 5.7 percent, Putnam at 5.6 percent, Monongalia County at 5.2 percent and Jefferson at 5.1 percent. In August there were 1,050 unemployed in Mason County, down from 1,210 in July. There were 8,790 people employed in Mason County in August, up from 8,780 in July. Across West Virginia the unemployment rate actually climbed two-tenths of a percentage point to 7.5 percent in August.

On the Ohio side of the river, Meigs County saw it’s unemployment rate dip to 11.1 percent in August, down from an unemployment rate of 12.5 percent in July. However, Meigs County remained ranked second out of 88 counties when it comes to having the highest unemployment - Pike County once again had the top slot at 12.1 percent unemployment.

In the tri-county area, only Gallia County saw unemployment rise, going from 8.3 percent in July to 8.4 percent unemployment in August. Gallia County is ranked 17 out of 88 counties when it comes to the highest unemployment rates. Mercer County once again had the lowest unemployment rate at 4.1 percent. Other unemployment rates of note across the state are: Vinton County, 9.9 percent; Jackson County, 8.5 percent; Athens County, eight percent; Franklin County, six percent; Cuyahoga County, 7.3 percent; Hamilton County, 6.8 percent.

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in August was 413,000, down from 418,000 in July. Ohio’s unemployment rate was 7.2 percent in August, unchanged from July. Unemployment rates in both Ohio and West Virginia are still below the national average which was at 8.1 percent in August, down from 8.3 percent in July.

Information for this article provided by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and WorkForce West Virginia.