The unemployment rate within Pearl River County was only slightly higher than the statewide-unadjusted average for the month of October.

Pearl River County’s unemployment rate was ranked 30th out of 82 counties in Mississippi during October.

According to information released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, the unemployment rate in Pearl River County during the month of October was 4.3 percent, a decrease from September’s revised rate of 4.6 percent. In October of 2017, the unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in the county.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in October was 4.7 percent.  September’s revised rate was 4.8 percent.

In October of 2017, Mississippi’s adjusted unemployment rate was 4.8 percent.

Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in October was 3.7 percent, the same as the previous month’s rate.

In October 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 October was 4.2 percent, decreasing from September’s rate of 4.5, the report states.

Mississippi’s unadjusted rate for October 2017 was 4.4 percent.

Nationwide, the unadjusted unemployment rate for October was 3.5 percent, a decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.6 percent. In October of the previous year, the unadjusted unemployment rate in the United States was 3.9 percent.

Of Mississippi’s 82 counties, 29 reported unemployment rates at or below the statewide-unadjusted 4.2 percent average.

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

Jefferson County reported the highest rate, at 10.3 percent, with Holmes County reporting 7.7 percent.