from staff and wire
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN — Mississippi’s unemployment rate stood at 12 percent in January, up from 10.3 percent in December and higher than the national rate of 10.6 percent.
The state Department of Employment Security released figures Wednesday.
Unemployment ranged from a high of 23.1 percent in Noxubee and Holmes counties to 8 percent in Rankin.
Lauderdale County's unemployment rate was 12.1 percent for January, up from 10 percent in December.
The unemployment rate for surrounding counties in January were: Clarke, 14.2 percent; Kemper, 13.4 percent; Jasper, 13 percent; Newton, 11.8 percent; and Neshoba, 11.5 percent.
MDES says 22 of Mississippi’s 82 counties posted unemployment rates less than or equal to the state’s rate of 12 percent and 74 counties reported double-digit rates for the month.
