By West Chester Twp.’s estimates, it created most of the new jobs in Butler County last year.

The Journal reported earlier this week that 3,300 jobs were created in Butler County in 2012.

West Chester Twp. estimates it created 2,000 of them. According to Ohio Department of Job and Family services, 400 net new jobs were created in Fairfield, 500 net in Hamilton and 400 in Middletown.

Employment levels are based on surveys and statistical analysis, which the state only does for cities of a certain population size. The state doesn’t provide unemployment estimates for townships, though West Chester Twp.’s population is greater than Fairfield’s and Middletown’s. Hamilton, the seat of county government, is the county’s most populous city.

West Chester Township’s Community Development Department said it tracks job creation based upon new business permits filed in the community. West Chester’s estimates don’t account for jobs lost, while the state’s analysis does. Including job cuts, the net number of new jobs in West Chester would likely be slightly lower than 2,000.

“West Chester has continued to see new business growth during challenging economic times and now we are beginning to see even more activity and interest from prospective companies,” said West Chester Community Development Director Mike Juengling, in a statement. Juengling is the former Butler County development director.

The county’s unemployment rate now sits at six percent, or 11,500 people unemployed, according to state data.

West Chester Twp.’s largest employer is jet engine maker GE Aviation. It is headquarters to food manufacturer AdvancePierre Foods, the Tristate region’s largest private company by revenues.

One company known to be cutting jobs in West Chester Twp. is BAE Systems, an armored vehicle company. Last year BAE Systems announced it’s moving its military operations from West Chester Twp. to Sealy, Texas, resulting in the elimination of approximately 160 jobs locally. The company filed a notice with the state workforce department saying it would do layoffs in rounds, which were to begin in December, after delays, and occur monthly until the end of March 2013.