By David Howell

Unemployment continues to rise in Panola County with a one percent increase from May to June.

The unemployment rate for June was 12.8 compared to 11.8 in May.

According to the latest unadjusted figures from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, there were 2,110 people out of work in June compared to 1,990 in May.

The number of people employed went from 14,810 in May to 14,410 in June. The labor force also decreased over the month, going from 16,800 in May to 16,520 in June. The labor force is defined as the estimated number of people eligible for work or actively looking for work.

The June 2011 unemployment rate is the same as the June 2010 rate of 12.8 percent. Five years ago, in June 2006, the rate was 8.3 percent.

In comparison to the six surrounding counties, the Panola unemployment rate was less than Quitman (14.2) and Tunica (19.8) but higher than Lafayette (9.5), Tallahatchie (11.9), Yalobusha (12.1) and Tate (12.6.)

Mississippi’s unadjusted unemployment rate for June 2011 was 11.0 percent, increasing nine-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month’s rate of 10.1 percent.

The number of unemployed increased 14,000 over the month, while the employed total decreased 3,000 from the prior month.

Rankin County posted the lowest unemployment rate for the month at 6.5 percent and Tunica County had the highest at 19.8 percent.