By Rita Howell

Panola County’s unemployment rate for October was 8.1 percent, indicating more than a  two-point decrease over last October (10.3), and more than a five percentage point improvement over October, 2011 (13.3). Figures were released this week by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Panola’s jobless rate was unchanged from September, 2015, but higher than the August, 2015 reported rate of 7.8.

Panola ranks 66th of Mississippi’s 82 counties, with Rankin County recording the best rate, 3.8, and Issaquena the worst, 11.9 percent.

The state’s average for October was 5.9, and the nation’s, 4.8.

The MDES reports that Panola had a workforce of 13,800, with 12,680 employed in October, and 1,120 unemployed for that month.

In comparison with the six surrounding counties, Panola’s jobless rate of 8.1 for October was higher than Tate (6.5), Lafayette (4.4), Yalobusha (6.3), Tallahatchie (6.4) and lower than Quitman (9.4) and Tunica (8.3).