By Jeremy Pittari, Item Staff Writer
The Picayune Item
PICAYUNE —
Pearl River County’s unemployment rate fell by almost a full percentage point between September and October.
According to information released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Pearl River County’s unemployment rate was 8.6 percent for the month of October, almost a full percentage point decrease from September’s rate of 9.5 percent. In October of 2011 the unemployment rate in this county was 11.2 percent.
Statewide the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October was 8.9 percent, a slight decrease from the previous month’s rate of 9.2 percent, the release states. A year ago in October the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Mississippi was 10.7 percent.
Nationwide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October was 7.9 percent, a slight decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.1 percent. In October of 2011 the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.9 percent, the release states.
Seasonally adjusted rates take into consideration patterns such as weather, holidays, school schedules and other regularly occurring events that contribute to employment rates. Only nationwide and statewide percentages are adjusted.
Mississippi’s unadjusted unemployment rate for October was 8.3 percent, a decrease from September’s rate of 9 percent. Last year in October the unadjusted unemployment rate in the state was 10.6 percent, the release states.
Unadjusted unemployment nationwide for October was 7.5 percent, a slight decrease of the previous month’s rate of 7.6 percent. A year ago in October the rate was 8.5 percent, the release states.
In October, 26 counties in Mississippi reported unemployment rates lower than 8.3 percent, including Rankin County with 5.2 percent, Madison County with 5.8 percent and Lafayette County with 5.9 percent. The highest unemployment rates in Mississippi were reported by Clay County with 16.4 percent, Holmes County with 14.5 percent and Noxubee County with 14.3 percent.
