From Press, Staff Reports

Webster County's unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level this year in September, according to Mississippi Department of Employment Security data.

September's jobless rate of 8.3 percent was down from 12.9 percent in August and was the lowest so far this year. An 8.6 percent rate was recorded in March and April.

Rates in surrounding counties were 3 percent in Oktibbeha, 5.9 in Montgomery, 6.3 in Calhoun, 6.8 in Grenada, 7.2 in Choctaw, 11. 6 in Chickasaw and 12.4 in Clay.

Labor force conditions managed to improve as Mississippi's unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 percent, according to the MDES.

The 5.6 percent rate was down only three-tenths of a percentage point from August's rate of 5.9 percent and only one-tenth of a percentage point lower than a year ago.

The number of persons unemployed in Mississippi decreased by 3,600. This drop in the number of job seekers could be traced to student job seekers who had been unable to find summer work and are now back in school. The unadjusted rate for the nation was down three-tenths of a percent while the seasonally adjusted rate stayed the same at 5.4 percent.

Sectors of the state's economy showing job gains included trade and transportation, educational- and health-related services, and government jobs related to education. Sectors witnessing losses were reported in manufacturing and information.

Sixty-two counties reported a decrease in the unemployment rate; 16 counties showed a slight increase in unemployment and four counties showed no change at all. Fourteen counties posted double-digit unemployment rates, with Jefferson County still leading with the highest unemployment rate of 15.4 percent. Noxubee County moves to the second-highest rate of 13.5 percent.

Twenty-seven counties posted rates lower than Mississippi's rate of 5.6 percent with Lamar County holding the lowest rate of 2.7 percent.

Rankin County had the second-lowest rate of 3 percent.