COLUMBUS — Ohio’s unemployment rate dropped slightly in June, but the state’s three-month run of job growth ended, due mainly to job losses among temporary Census workers.

Overall, the numbers released by the state showed slow movement in the right direction, economist Ken Mayland said on Friday, July 16.

“I think we’re continuing to grind out progress,” said Mayland, president of ClearView Economics in Pepper Pike, a Cleveland suburb.

The June jobless rate was 10.5 percent, down from 10.7 percent in May. Although the rate dropped for a third straight month, it was the 15th straight month of double-digit joblessness. The new June rate was unchanged from the June 2009 rate.

The job losses among temporary Census workers offset a moderate increase in private sector employment, part of a national trend for June, said Mayland. Total Ohio employment decreased to 5,048,900, 1,500 below the revised 5,050,400 figure for May.

“The same set of dynamics affecting the national economy is affecting Ohio,” Mayland said.

The number of unemployed workers dropped to 625,000 in June, down from 641,000 in May. During the past 12 months, the number of unemployed has dropped by 5,000.

The three months of job growth started in March, with the biggest bump coming from March to April.

Preliminary numbers for April had shown Ohio leading the nation in job growth with 37,300 jobs for that month.

The numbers were revised, however, to show a 30,600 gain, third highest in the country for that month behind Pennsylvania, with an increase of 36,700 jobs and Texas, with an increase of 33,700 jobs.

Government employment in June dropped by 10,400 jobs, mainly due to the temporary Census workers. Also, jobs in service- providing industries dropped by 1,900.

There were gains of 4,500 in leisure and hospitality and of 2,000 jobs in financial activities. Manufacturing added 300 jobs, with an increased in nondurable goods exceeding a drop in durable goods employment.

Mayland said he expects job growth to “gather more momentum” in the second half of the year.

Companies are not likely to hire “with abandon,” however, Mayland added.

The national unemployment rate for June was 9.5 percent, down from 9.7 percent in May.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.