Jackson Free Press

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Mississippi dropped to 9.2 percent in September, representing 112,500 people collecting unemployment benefits, down from 9.7 percent in August, which represented a 1 percent drop from July. The September rate is slightly lower than the national rate of 9.5 percent. The unadjusted rate in the state was 8.8 percent, a drop of 0.9 percent. The adjusted rate removes the influences of regular events such as weather and holidays.

The tri-county area continues to see lower-than-average unemployment, with Rankin County reporting the lowest unemployment in the state at 5.6 percent, Madison reporting a 6.3 percent rate and Hinds at 7.9. In all, 41 of Mississippi's 82 counties reported unemployment lower than 10 percent. Five counties—Claiborne, Winston, Jefferson, Holmes, Noxubee and Clay—reported jobless rate of 15 percent or higher, with Clay County's rate at 17.8 percent.

September 2009's rate for the Magnolia State is still considerably higher than September 2008, when Mississippi reported 7.4 percent unemployment. The average weekly benefit check has increased by $9.43; a year ago, the average check was $177.51; last month it was $186.94.

Official unemployment rates do not count people who have taken part-time employment—reporting any employment at all counts individuals as 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 as those reported by official sources.