Tate County jobless numbers dropped slightly in August – snapping a streak of four consecutive months of increased unemployment.
Statistics from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) show Tate County with an August jobless rate of 4.1%, a drop from 4.2% in July. The local rate was 3.4% in April.
Tate County ranks 21st in the state in unemployment and the rate of 4.1% includes an estimated 11,790 of the eligible 12,290 residents, at least 16 years of age, actively searching for employment in August but could not land a job.
The county’s rate of 4.1% is lower than the state’s non-seasonally adjusted average of 4.1% and nationwide averages of 4.5%.
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.
Mississippi’s not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment has increased by 6,300 in August and 16,100 in 2025. Industry sectors registering the largest monthly employment gains were Government; Private Education & Health Services; and Construction.
For the month of August, 27 counties in Mississippi posted unemployment rates less than or equal to the state’s rate of 4.2%. Rankin County posted the lowest rate at 3.1% followed by Madison County at 3.4. Jefferson County had the highest rate at 10.8% followed by Claiborne County at 10.7.
August unemployment numbers for surrounding north Mississippi counties:
• DeSoto 3.9%, down from 4.2% in July
• Lafayette 3.6%, down from 3.9% in July
• Marshall 4.8%, down from 5.3% in July
• Panola 5.1%, down from 5.4% in July
• Tunica 5.0%, down from 5.6% in July
