The state Department of Employment Security says Mississippi”s unemployment rate was 11.1 percent in March, down from 12.1 percent in February. The rate in Golden Triangle counties also dropped.
In Lowndes County, the March unemployment rate was 12.8 percent for March, down from 13.6 percent rate. Oktibbeha”s rate was 9.9 percent, down from 10.8 percent, while Clay County”s March rate was 21.2 percent, down from 21.7 percent in February.
Among 15 Mississippi cities surveyed, the city of Columbus maintained the highest unemployment rate, 20.1 percent in March, compared to 20.6 percent in February.
Rankin County had the lowest March rate rate in the state at 7.1 percent, while Noxubee County had the highest at 22.4 percent.
The MDES said Wednesday that 69 of the 82 counties had double-digit unemployment with four counties above 21 percent.
The national rate has been 9.7 percent for the past three months, close to its highest levels since the 1980s.
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