County’s Jobless Rate Continues To Drop
County’s Jobless Rate Continues To Drop
By David Howell
Editor
WATER VALLEY – Yalobusha County’s unemployment rate of 6.0 percent for November is down two-tenths of a percentage point over the October rate, according to the latest figures from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES). The county’s rate is the same as the statewide rate.
According to MDES estimates, 4,950 were employed during the month out of a labor force of 5,270 as compared to 4,960 employed during October out of a labor force of 5,290. A year ago in November 4,570 were employed out of a labor force of 4,960.
The labor force is defined by MDES as the estimated number of people eligible for work or actively seeking employment. But, those figures don’t include people who have given up looking for work or no longer participating in the labor force.
Six years ago in November, 2009, the unemployment rate was at a high of 13.2 percent. The current rate is the lowest for November during the six year period.
In comparison to the five surrounding counties, the Yalobusha unemployment was less than Panola (7.9) and Tallahatchie (6.6), but higher than Lafayette (4.3), Calhoun (5.5) and Grenada (5.6).
Initial unemployment claims dropped slightly over the month, from 36 in October to 34 in November. Continuing claims were up sharply, from 161 to 210. MDES paid $25,947 for unemployment benefits in November as compared to $20,492 in October and $25,091 last November.
