Ohio's jobless rate for April was 10.2 percent, up from 6.2 percent in April 2008, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

April's rate was the highest since December 1983, when joblessness in Ohio hit 10.4 percent, department spokesman Brian Harter said.

The U.S. unemployment rate for April was 8.9 percent.

"Because of the automotive industry and other manufacturing losses, Ohio is probably going to take a little bit longer than other parts of the country to recover from this recession," he said. "So, you're going to continue to see unemployment rates increase over the next few months."

Ohio unemployment hit an all-time high of 13.8 percent in December 1982 and January 1983.