Jobless numbers in Trumbull and Mahoning counties fell sharply in October, marking the second consecutive month unemployment in the region shrank, yet they remain in a four-way tie for the highest rate in the state.

It’s a similar situation for jobless rates in Warren and in Youngstown — both were down again and by a lot last month, but both remain among the highest in Ohio.

The latest jobless report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has Trumbull and Mahoning counties’ 6.6 percent unemployment rate tied with Cuyahoga County and Jefferson County,which is immediately south of Columbiana County.

Columbiana County, meanwhile, has a rate of 5.6 percent, a 3.3 percent improvement from September.

Tuesday’s report shows Trumbull County fell 3.5 percent and Mahoning County, 3.6 percent, from September. Last month’s numbers, however, were still 1.4 percent higher in Trumbull County and 1.1 percent more in Mahoning than numbers they posted a year ago.

Warren recorded a rate of 9.1 percent and Youngstown, 9.7 percent, decreases of 4.7 percent and 5.3 percent respectively from September. Still, the numbers put them at Nos. 5 and 3 for the highest rates among cities in Ohio.

Cities with greater rates were Maple Heights, 10.4 percent; Euclid, 9.8 percent; and Cleveland and Garfield Heights, 9.2 percent.

Ohio recorded a rate of 5.6 percent, down 2.7 percent from September. The nation’s 6.9 percent rate is 1 percent less than in September.

Friday, the state will release its weekly report of initial jobless benefit applications; one day later than normal because of the Thanksgiving holiday. The U.S. Department of Labor will probably do the same with nationwide numbers.

Last week the state reported for the week ending Nov. 14 that 24,964 Ohioians applied for first-time unemployment help, marking the third week in row claims rose and stayed above 20,000.

Across the U.S., the number of Americans seeking unemployment aid rose to 742,000, the first increase in five weeks and a sign that the resurgent viral outbreak is likely slowing the economy and forcing more companies to cut jobs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ohio counties: Top unemployment rates

Trumbull, Mahoning, Cuyahoga, Jefferson — 6.6 percent

Monroe — 6.5 percent

Lucas, Noble — 6.3 percent

Erie, Harrison — 6.2 percent

Meigs — 6.1 percent

Ohio cities: Top unemployment rates

Maple Heights — 10.4 percent

Euclid — 9.8 percent

Youngstown — 9.7 percent

Cleveland, Garfield Heights — 9.2 percent

Warren — 9.1 percent

SOURCE: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services