Leflore County’s jobless rate improved in October to 13.1 percent, according to figures released today by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
The county’s jobless rate last month, though, remained higher than the same month a year ago, when it was 12.5 percent.
The jobless rate in September was 13.6 percent.
The number of unemployed in Leflore County in October was 70 more than a year ago, and the number of employed was 190 less.
Statewide, the unemployment rate was 10.2 percent, down from September’s 10.6 percent. The state rate in October, though, was the highest it has been for that month since 1986, when it was 11.9 percent.
The national rate last month was 8.5 percent.
Twenty of the state’s 82 counties had rates below 10 percent, four more than the month before. Rankin County again was the lowest at 6.6 percent. Clay County had the highest at 19.1 percent, followed by Holmes County at 17.1 percent.
Leflore County had the 64th best unemployment rate, three spots better than the month before.
The October rates and rankings for other nearby counties were:
nTallahatchie, 10.2 percent, 23rd.
• Carroll, 10.3 percent, 24th.
• Grenada, 10.8 percent, 32nd.
• Montgomery, 11.9 percent, 50th.
• Humphreys, 13.9 percent, 70th (tie).
• Sunflower, 15.2 percent, 77th.
MDES labor market data
