Adams County jobless rate declines

RITZVILLE – Adams County's overall jobless rate has been dropping substantially.

According to August data released in October by regional labor economist Donald Meseck, the county's unemployment rate dropped 1.7% between 2020 and 2021. For the month of August, the county's reading of 3.6% is the lowest rate recorded in more than two decades.

Meseck's Adams County Labor Summary report shows an encouraging trend in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and mandated shutdowns. The non-farm economy added 240 jobs in 2021 and in August of this year, total nonfarm employment rose to 6,510 jobs.

Tha...