The unemployment rate in Pearl River County continues to show favorable rates, in line with the statewide average, even though it increased slightly.

Pearl River County’s unemployment rate was ranked 26th out of 82 counties in Mississippi during April.

According to information released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, the unemployment rate in Pearl River County during the month of April was 4.3 percent, a slight increase from March’s revised rate of 4.2 percent. In April of 2017, the unemployment rate was 5 percent in the county.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April was 4.6 percent, one tenth of a percent increase from March’s revised rate.

In April of 2017, Mississippi’s adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3 percent.

Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April was 3.9 percent, a decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.1 percent.

In April of last year, the nationwide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4 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 April was 4.3 percent, down from March’s rate of 4.5, the report states.

Mississippi’s unadjusted rate for April 2017 was 4.2 percent, a decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.3 percent. In April the year prior, the rate was 4.6 percent.

Nationwide, the unadjusted unemployment rate for April was 3.7 percent, a decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.1. In April of the previous year, the unadjusted unemployment rate in the United States was also 4.1 percent.

Of Mississippi’s 82 counties, 25 reported unemployment rates at or below the statewide-unadjusted 4.2 percent average.

Rankin County reported the lowest unemployment during April with 3.1 percent with Union County following closely behind with a rate of 3.2 percent.

Jefferson County reported the highest rate, at 10.5 percent, with Issaquena County reporting 8.4 percent.