The unemployment rate within Pearl River County was one tenth of a percentage point lower than the statewide-unadjusted average for the month of March. During that month, Pearl River County’s rate was in the top 20, tying for 19th in the state with two other counties with a percentage of 4.7.

According to information released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security this week, Pearl River County’s revised unemployment rate for February was 4.7 percent. In March of 2018, the unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in the county.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March was 4.9 percent, one tenth of a point more than February’s revised rate.

In March of 2018, Mississippi’s adjusted unemployment rate was also 4.9 percent.

Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March was 3.8 percent, the same as the previous month’s rate.

In March of last year, the nationwide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4 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 March was 4.8 percent, staying the same as February’s rate, the report states.

Mississippi’s unadjusted rate for March 2018 was 4.6 percent.

Nationwide, the unadjusted unemployment rate for March was 3.9 percent, a slight increase from the previous month’s rate of 3.7 percent.

In March of the previous year, the unadjusted unemployment rate in the United States was 3.7 percent.

Of Mississippi’s 82 counties, 25 reported unemployment rates at or below the statewide-unadjusted average of 4.8 percent.

Rankin County reported the lowest unemployment rate during March with 3.5 percent with Lafayette County and Lamar County close behind with a rate of 3.7 percent.

Jefferson County reported the highest rate, at 12.8 percent, with Jefferson County reporting 13.4 percent with Issaquena County reporting a rate of 11.8 percent.