The unemployment rate within Pearl River County was one tenth of a percentage point lower than the statewide-unadjusted average for the month of April. During that month, Pearl River County’s rate was tied for 21st place in the state, tying three other counties with a percentage of 4.5.

According to information released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security this week, Pearl River County’s revised unemployment rate for March was 4.7 percent. In April of 2018, the unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in the county.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April was 4.9 percent, the same as March’s revised rate.

In April of 2018, Mississippi’s adjusted unemployment rate was also 4.8 percent.

Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April was 3.6 percent, two tenths of a point less than the previous month’s rate.

In April of last year, the nationwide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9 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 April was 4.6 percent, a slight decrease from March’s rate of 4.8 percent, the report states.

Mississippi’s unadjusted rate for April 2018 was 4.3 percent.

Nationwide, the unadjusted unemployment rate for April was 3.3 percent, a slight decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.9 percent. In April of the previous year, the unadjusted unemployment rate in the United States was 3.7 percent.

Of Mississippi’s 82 counties, 26 reported unemployment rates at or below the statewide-unadjusted average of 4.8 percent.

Rankin County reported the lowest unemployment rate during April with 3.4 percent with Lamar County and Union County close behind with a rate of 3.6 percent.

Jefferson County reported the highest rate, at 10.9 percent, with Issaquena County reporting a rate of 9.3 percent.