Ohio's unemployment rate for September down to 5.6 percent from 5.7 percent in August

Ohio's unemployment rate fell slightly last month after holding steady for two months in a row, according to state numbers released Friday.

The state's jobless rate was 5.6 percent for September, down from 5.7 percent in both July and August, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

The Ohio unemployment rate was slightly better than the national rate, which was 5.9 percent for September.

Seasonally adjusted non-agriculture employment increased by 6,000 during the month in the state — from 5,297,400 in August to 5,303,400 in September.

The number of unemployed workers was 319,000 last month, down 5,000 from 324,000 in August, according to state figures.

The number of unemployed has decreased by 110,000 in the past 12 months. The unemployment rate in September 2013 was 7.4 percent.

The 5.6 percent unemployment rate in September was the lowest since May and June, when it was 5.5 percent. The average jobless rate for all of last year was 7.4 percent.

Gains in September were seen in manufacturing and construction, with mining and logging unchanged. Losses were seen in professional and business services, educational and health services, and leisure and hospitality.

Government employment increased as gains in state government (6,400) outweighed job losses in local government (3,400). Federal government employment did not change over the month.