By Rita Howell
Panola’s unemployment rate declined a full percentage point, from 9.2 to 8.2, from January to February, according to the latest report from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, as the state’s job picture improved, too, from 7 percent unemployment in January to 6.2 percent in February.
The nation’s jobless rate remained static, from 5.3 percent in January to 5.2 percent in February.
Panola ranked 61st among the state’s 82 counties, with Rankin continuing to post the best rate, 4.0 percent, and Issaquena at the bottom of the list with 21.2.
In February, Panola County had a labor force of 13,680 people, with 12,560 employed, and 1,120 without jobs.
The MDES reports that In February there were 67 initial unemployment claims by Panola Countians, with 757 continued claims.In January, 123 people had initiated claims, with 920 continued claims. A year ago, in February 2015, there were 68 new claims, and 852 continued claims.
In comparison with the six surrounding counties, Panola’s February unemployment rate of 8.2 percent was higher than Tate (6.3), Lafayette (4.9), Yalobusha (6.6) and lower than Tallahatchie (8.6), Quitman (11.8), and Tunica (8.5).