The unemployment rate within Pearl River County was one tenth of a percentage point higher than the statewide-unadjusted average for the month of February. During that month, Pearl River County’s rate was in the top 20, tying for 19th in the state with four other counties with a percentage of 4.7.

According to information released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security this week, Pearl River County’s revised unemployment rate for January was 5.4. percent. In February of 2018, the unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in the county.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 4.8 percent, one tenth of a point more than January’s revised rate.

In February of 2018, Mississippi’s adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 3.8 percent, an increase of the previous month’s rate of 4 percent.

In February of last year, the nationwide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent.

Seasonally adjusted rates factor in annual patterns such as weather, holidays, school schedules and other occurrences that affect employment rates. Only nationwide and statewide percentages are adjusted.

Mississippi’s unadjusted rate for February was 4.8 percent, decreasing from January’s rate of 5.2, the report states.

Mississippi’s unadjusted rate for February 2018 was 4.9 percent.

Nationwide, the unadjusted unemployment rate for February was 4.1 percent, a slight decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.4 percent. In February of the previous year, the unadjusted unemployment rate in the United States was 4.4 percent.

Of Mississippi’s 82 counties, 27 reported unemployment rates at or below the statewide-unadjusted average of 4.8 percent.

Rankin County reported the lowest unemployment rate during February with 3.5 percent with Lafayette County close behind with a rate of 3.6 percent.

Jefferson County reported the highest rate, at 12.8 percent, with Issaquena County reporting 12.1 percent.