By Rita Howell
Panola County’s jobless rate decreased by two percentage points from July to August, according to the latest figures from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The drop, from 9.8 to 7.8, mirrored the state’s level of unemployment which fell from 6.9 percent in July to 5.6 percent in August, the report showed. The national rate of 5.2 for August was also a drop, from the July rate of 5.6.

Panola’s labor force was recorded in the latest report at 13,630, with 12,570 employed, and 1,060 unemployed.

The county’s jobless rate for August, 2014, was 10.7. Two years ago the rate was 11.5, and five years ago it was 12.0

In comparison with the six surrounding counties, Panola’s rate of 7.8 percent for August was higher than Tate (6.0), Lafayette (4.4), Yalobusha (6.2), and Tallahatchie (5.9) and lower than Quitman (9.4) and Tunica (8.4).

Panola ranks 64th out of the 82 counties, with Rankin showing the lowest jobless rate, 3.3 percent, and Issaquena reporting the highest, 13.7 percent.