The unemployment rate decreased between the months of August and September in Pearl River County.

Pearl River County’s unemployment rate was ranked 33rd out of 82 counties in Mississippi during September.

According to information released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Pearl River County’s unemployment rate for September was 4.9 percent, which is a decrease from August’s revised rate of 5.3 percent. In September of 2016, the unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in the county.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September was 5.2 percent, a slight decrease from August’s revised rate of 5.3 percent. In September of 2016, Mississippi’s adjusted unemployment rate was 5.7 percent.

Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September was 4.2 percent, also a slight decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.3 percent.

A year ago in September, the nationwide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

Seasonally adjusted rates take into account 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 September was 4.7 percent, a decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.1 percent, the report states.

Mississippi’s unadjusted rate for September 2016 was 5.7 percent.

Nationwide, the unadjusted unemployment rate for September was 4.1 percent, a slight decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.5. In September of the previous year, the unadjusted unemployment rate in the United States was 4.8 percent.

Of Mississippi’s 82 counties, 28 reported unemployment rates at or below the statewide-unadjusted average of 4.7 percent.

Rankin County and Union County reported the lowest unemployment with 3.4 percent.  Desoto and Lamar counties followed with a rate of 3.5 percent.

Jefferson County reported the highest rate, at 11.3 percent, with Claiborne County’s 8.8 percent following behind.