Jackson Free Press

More than one out of every 10 Mississippians was officially unemployed in July—138,100 individuals—according to new data released by the state Department of Employment Security, with the state's unadjusted rate hitting 10.5 percent. Three counties reported jobless rates over 20 percent—Jefferson, Holmes and Clay—while two others pushed toward that high-water mark. Claiborne and Noxubee County reported a 19.1 percent and 19.5 percent unemployment rate, respectively.

Throughout the Magnolia State, 61 of 82 counties reported double-digit joblessness. Nine counties tipped the scale at more than 15 percent unemployed.

The tri-county area is still showing lower-than-state-average unemployment. Rankin County shows the lowest rate in the state, with 6.5 percent unemployed. Madison is the fifth lowest at 7.9 percent, and Hinds was No. 11, at 9.1 percent. Nationally, the U.S. reported 9.7 percent unemployment in July.

Comparing the state's unemployment rate from one year ago, the overall rate is up from 7.3 percent, or an additional 30,400 people without jobs, and an increase of more than $10 million in benefits paid. The average gross weekly benefit check in Mississippi was $187.57 last month.

Official unemployment rates do not count people who have taken part-time employment—reporting any employment at all counts individuals as fully employed. The numbers also do not reflect those whose benefits have expired, or those who did not actively look for work in the previous four weeks. Experts note that unofficial employment rates may be twice as high.

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This is interesting for the State of Mississippi. Counties like Homes and Jefferson have always had high unemployment rates. The only jobs available are a few teaching jobs. After Homes County loss their one factory and their hospital, this was basically the end. Madison, Rankin are ranked with the lowest margin of un-employment because so many of their residents work in Hinds County. This continues to be a big problem for people using county roads and other amenities during the week and on pay-day, the checks are taken to other areas to be spent with merchants there. This also effects our tax base. I'm hopeful that the stimilus injection for this State will prove helpful in jump starting the job market; however, this information had already been predicted by the Obama Administration.

justjess

Aug 27 2009