The unemployment rate decreased by a percentage point and a half between the months of January and February in Pearl River County.
Pearl River County’s unemployment rate was ranked 39th out of 82 counties in Mississippi during February.
According to information released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Pearl River County’s unemployment rate for February was 4.9 percent, which is a decrease from January’s revised rate of 6.4 percent. In February of 2016, the unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in the county.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 5.2 percent, a decrease from January’s revised rate of 5.5 percent. In February of 2016, Mississippi’s adjusted unemployment rate was 6.1 percent.
Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 4.7 percent, a slight decrease from previous the month’s rate of 4.8 percent.
A year ago in February, the nationwide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.
The release states that available jobs in Mississippi increased by 1,300 between the months of January and February, creating a situation where there were more jobs in the state since June of 2008.
Seasonally adjusted rates factor in 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 4.6 percent, a decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.1 percent, the report states.
Mississippi’s unadjusted rate for February 2016 was 5.9 percent.
Nationwide, the unadjusted unemployment rate for February was 4.9 percent, reflecting a decrease from previous month’s rate of 5.1. In February of the previous year, the unadjusted unemployment rate in the United States was 5.2 percent.
Of Mississippi’s 82 counties, 31 reported unemployment rates at or below the statewide-unadjusted average. The release states that every county within Mississippi reported a decrease in unemployment for the month of February.
Rankin County again reported the lowest unemployment with 3.1 percent. Madison and Union counties also reported a low unemployment rate, 3.2 percent.
Issaquena County reported the highest unemployment for February at 16.8 percent followed by Jefferson County at 14.5 percent.
Sectors reporting the most employment increases during February included government, leisure and hospitality, professional and business services and educational and health services.