The Tate County unemployment rate moved to 3.7% in January, a slight increase from 3.6% in December according to statistics from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
Tate County ranks 23rd in the state in unemployment and the rate of 3.7% includes 11,780 of the eligible 12,230 residents, at least 16 years of age, actively searching for employment in January but could not secure a job.
The county’s rate of 3.7% is the same as the state’s non-seasonally adjusted average of 3.7% and lower than the nationwide average of 4.4%.
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.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines an individual employed if they did any work at all for pay or profit during the survey week; this includes all part-time and temporary work as well as full-time year-round employment.
Mississippi’s not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment of 1,190,100 jobs decreased 11,800 over the month but has increased 19,000 this year. Industry sectors registering the largest monthly employment losses were Trade, Transportation & Utilities; Professional & Business Services; and Private Education & Health Services.
For the month of January, 32 counties in Mississippi posted unemployment rates less than or equal to the state’s rate of 3.7%. Rankin County posted the lowest unemployment rate in January at 2.6% followed by Union County at 2.9. Jefferson County had the rate at 10.7% followed by Claiborne County at 9.7.
January unemployment numbers for surrounding north Mississippi counties:
• DeSoto 3.4%, up from 3.3% in December
• Lafayette 3.1%, up from 2.5% in December
• Marshall 4.3%, up from 3.9% in December
• Panola 5.0%, up from 4.5% in December
• Tunica 5.3%, up from 4.5% in December
If you are searching for employment, visit the Tate County WIN Job Center on the Northwest Mississippi Community College campus in Senatobia or call (662) 562-3351 for more information.
