December’s unemployment rate increased slightly in Pearl River County, when compared to November’s rate.

According to a release from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, unemployment in Pearl River County for December was 10.9 percent. November’s unemployment rate in the county was 10.7 percent. During December of 2010 Pearl River County’s unemployment rate was 9.8 percent.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment statewide decreased slightly between the months of November and December. The release states Mississippi’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December was 10.4 percent, November’s rate was 10.5 percent. In 2010, Mississippi reported a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 10.2 percent for December.

Nationwide unemployment also decreased. December’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate nationwide was 8.5 percent, down slightly from November’s rate of 8.7 percent. Adjusted unemployment nationwide for December of 2010 was 9.4 percent.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates take into consideration seasonal patterns such as weather, holidays, school schedules and other regularly occurring events that affect employment. Only nationwide and statewide percentages are adjusted.

Unadjusted unemployment rates showed slight increases. Statewide the rate increased to 9.9 percent in December, from November’s rate of 9.7 percent. A year ago in December the unadjusted rate for Mississippi was 9.8 percent.

Nationwide unadjusted unemployment increased to 8.3 percent in December. November’s rate was 8.2 percent, the release states. In December of 2010 the unadjusted unemployment rate was 9.1 percent.

Twenty-three counties in Mississippi reported unemployment rates less than or equal to the state’s average of 9.9 percent for December. Rankin County reported the lowest rate, 6.2 percent, followed by DeSoto and Madison Counties with 6.8 percent each.

Nine counties in Mississippi reported unemployment rates higher than 15 percent for December. Clay County reported the highest unemployment rate of 19.1 percent. Holmes County reported an unemployment rate of 17.8 percent.