There was little change in the latest unemployment numbers at the start of the year’s fourth quarter.
The latest data the Mississippi Department of Employment Security released shows only small changes in the unemployment rate in October compared to September.
Lowndes County’s jobless rate remained unchanged at 6 percent over the two-month period while the jobless rates in Oktibbeha and Clay counties fell by 0.2 and 0.3 percent, respectively, and the Noxubee County unemployment rate ticked up by 0.2 percent.
Mississippi’s unemployment rate fell by 0.1 percent in October when compared to September, as did the national jobless rate.
On the bright side, the unemployment rates throughout the Golden Triangle are down, compared to this time last year – ranging from a 0.5 percent decrease in Oktibbeha County to a 1.2 percent decline in Clay County. Lowndes County’s year-to-year rate fell by 0.7 percent while Noxubee County’s rated declined by 0.8 percent.
The MDES also provides a yearly average unemployment rate. According to that data, over the past 12 months, the unemployment rates in the Golden Triangle were: Lowndes County, 6.5 percent; Oktibbeha County, 5.8 percent; Clay County, 8.6 percent; and Noxubee County, 8.7 percent.
The city of Columbus continues to struggle with unemployment. Its 8.4 percent unemployment rate is the second highest of the state’ s 15 largest cities at 8.4 percent. Vicksburg, with a 9.0 unemployment rate, hold the distinction of having the state’s highest jobless rate among major cities.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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