From Staff, Press Reports

Webster County's unemployment rate declined seven-tenths of a percentage point to 9.2 percent, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security has announced.

The 9.2 percent rate for July was down from June's rate of 9.9 percent and from 12.6 percent rate a year ago.

July unemployment rates in surrounding counties were Choctaw, 8.5 percent; Montgomery, 6.9; Grenada, 6.9; Calhoun, 6.4; Chickasaw, 11.3; Clay, 11.6; and Oktibbeha, 3.6

Mississippi's unemployment rate in June was 6 percent, down from 6.2 percent in June and seven-tenths of a percentage point lower than a year ago.

The number of persons unemployed in Mississippi decreased by 700 while the number of employed persons rose by 13,500.

The unadjusted rate for the nation was down from 5.8 to 5.7 percent while the seasonally adjusted rate was down from June's rate of 5.6 to 5.5 percent in July.

Sectors of the state's economy showing job gains included real estate, management, health care and technical services. Sectors witnessing losses were reported in public administration, public education, and wholesale and retail trade.

Forty-seven counties reported a decrease in the unemployment rate; 24 counties showed a slight increase in unemployment and eight counties showed no change at all. Twenty-one counties posted double-digit unemployment rates, with Jefferson County at 21 percent, the state's highest unemployment rate. Holmes County had the second-highest rate of 16.4 percent.

Twenty-six counties posted rates lower than Mississippi's rate of 6 percent with Rankin County holding the lowest rate of 2.5 percent. Lamar County remained unchanged with 3 percent and DeSoto County dropped to 3.2 percent.

August conditions tend to improve historically, which typically register lower unemployment numbers than July's rate.