Pearl River County’s unemployment rate was slightly lower than the statewide-unadjusted average for the month of September. During that month, Pearl River County’s rate tied for 18th with three other counties, all reporting a percentage of 5.3. The statewide unadjusted average was 5.6 percent.

According to information released by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security this week, Pearl River County’s revised unemployment rate for August was 5.4 percent. In September of 2018, the unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in the county.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September was 5.4 percent, slightly more than August’s revised rate of 5.2 percent.

In September of 2018, Mississippi’s adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 percent.

Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September was 3.5 percent, slightly less than the previous month’s rate of 3.7.

In September of last year, the nationwide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7 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 September was 5.6 percent, the same as August’s rate, the report states.

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

Nationwide, the unadjusted unemployment rate for September was 3.3 percent, a slight decrease from the previous month’s rate of 3.8 percent. In September of the previous year, the unadjusted unemployment rate in the United States was 3.6 percent.

Of Mississippi’s 82 counties, 30 reported unemployment rates at or below the statewide-unadjusted average of 5.6 percent.

Rankin County reported the lowest unemployment rate during September with 4.1 percent with Lamar County close behind with a rate of 4.2 percent.

Jefferson County reported the highest rate, at 15.7 percent, with Claiborne County reporting a rate of 11.2 percent.