During the month of May, unemployment in the state of Mississippi decreased significantly from the prior month’s adjusted average of 16.3 percent to an average of 10.6 percent.
Pearl River County’s unemployment rate for May also saw a significant decrease from the prior month, lowering from April’s rate of 13.1 to 9.5 percent in May.
In May of 2019, the unemployment rate in Pearl River County was 5 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 10.6 percent, significantly higher than the previous year’s rate in May of 5.4 percent.
Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in May was 13.3 percent, a decrease from the previous month’s rate of 14.7.
In May of last year, the nationwide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6 percent.
Seasonally adjusted rates take annual patterns such as weather, holidays, school schedules and other occurrences that affect employment rates into account. Only nationwide and statewide percentages are adjusted.
During the month of May, 54 of Mississippi’s 82 counties reported unemployment rates at or below the statewide-unadjusted average of 10.5 percent.
Smith County reported the lowest unemployment rate during May of 5.4 percent with Choctaw County reporting a rate of 6.5 percent.
Tunica County reported the highest rate, at 23.5 percent, with Holmes County reporting a rate of 21.3 percent.