Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi's unemployment rate ticked up in November as the economy didn't generate enough jobs to absorb more people looking for work.

The jobless rate rose to 6 percent from 5.9 percent in October, but was below November 2014's 7.2 percent rate.

Although more people reported having a job than in October, the labor force grew more quickly, pushing up the number of unemployed people.

A separate survey shows Mississippi payrolls fell slightly in November, but total payrolls remained 10,000 higher than last November.

Both sets of figures — adjusted to cancel out seasonal changes — were released Friday by the U.S. Labor Department.

Mississippi remained above the nation's 5 percent unemployment rate.

There were 77,000 Mississippians unemployed in November, up 2,000 from October and 11,000 below November 2014.