U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that for the month of January the nation’s “unemployment rate was little changed at 4.8 percent” from the December 2016 rate of 4.7 percent.

One Ohio lawmaker was encouraged, however.

“We finally have a monthly job gain above 200,000,” said U. S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, in a news release about the Bureau of Labor Statistics employment report for January 2017. While the labor force participation rate ticked up slightly due to demographic changes, it still remains stubbornly near decades-low levels.”

According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the economy added 227,000 non-farm payroll jobs in January. Employment gains averaged 187,000 per month in 2016.

“Americans don’t have to accept lackluster job creation and economic growth. The new administration and the new Congress are committed to unleashing America’s job-creating potential … ,” Tiberi said. “This is just the beginning as we work to increase opportunity for all Americans.”

Ohio’s overall unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in December 2016, which was unchanged from November. Unemployment rates for January 2017 are scheduled for release March 3 by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Delaware County’s unemployment rate was second lowest in the state at 3.9 percent in December 2016. Mercer County was the lowest with a 3.1 percentage unemployment rate with Monroe County having the highest in the state with a 9.6 unemployment rate.

Delaware County’s labor force was estimated at 102,700 with 99,300 employed and 3,400 unemployed in December 2016.

Franklin County’s unemployment rate was estimated at 3.8 percent in December 2016 with a ranking of 26 in the state and having a labor force of 661,500 with 636,500 employed and 25,100 unemployed. Central Ohio overall unemployment rate was estimated at 3.9 percent in December 2016 and having a labor force of 1,100,300 with 1,057,800 employed and 42,500 unemployed.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ohio was ranked 31 in the United States in unemployment for December 2016. New Hampshire was ranked best with an unemployment rate of 2.6 percent and Alaska ranked last with an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent for December 2016.