[3/11/04]Warren County’s jobless rate grew in January, but it remained below state and national averages.

The Mississippi Employment Security Commission reported 5.6 percent of eligible workers were looking for work in January, up from 4.3 percent in December.

The state’s average also rose, from 4.7 percent to 6.3 percent, while the national rate went from 5.6 to 6.3. Factors cited in the increases were the layoffs of temporary workers after Christmas and weather conditions reducing the number of days for outside construction. Statewide, wholesale and retail trade dropped 5,500 workers, and construction was down 1,800.

Agriculture jobs were also down 6,300.

MESC officials said the jobless rate was still lower than at the same time a year ago and matched the national unemployment rate. The jobless rate in January 2003 was 7.1 percent.

About 83,200 Mississippians were without work in January. There were 1.23 million employed in January, down about 19,000.

Three agricultural counties led the state in unemployment. Sharkey County had the highest rate, at 24.8 percent, followed by Jefferson County at 20.2 percent and Tallahatchie County at 18.4 percent. Twenty-six counties had jobless rates in double figures.

Jobless rates in Issaquena County jumped from 14 percent in December to 17.9 percent in January. Claiborne County’s rate increased .1 percent to 14.4 percent.

Lamar County’s unemployment rate of 2.9 percent was the lowest in the state, followed by Rankin at 3 percent and DeSoto at 3.6 percent.

MESC officials said February’s figures were hard to predict. Factors such as weather and plant closures will affect the rate.