Employment rates in Warren County improved in February, according to statistics released Wednesday by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The local rate mirrored an improving jobs picture statewide.

The local jobless number stood at 5.8 percent for the month, down from 6.3 percent in January. Statewide, the rate fell to 5.9 percent from a January’s 6.5 percent.

Mississippi’s non-farm employment sector grew by 3,400 jobs with education, health, hospitality and government accounting for most. The non-farming sector employment is up by 6,200 jobs over a year ago, the release said.

Warren County’s unemployment rate ranked near the upper quarter of the state’s 82 counties. Rankin County reported the lowest unemployment rate at 3.9 percent, followed by Lafayette and Lamar counties at 4.2 percent. Hinds County stood at 5.1 percent unemployment, down from 5.1 percent in January.

Yazoo County’s rate fell to 7.6 percent from 7.9 percent last month. Claiborne County’s rate also fell, to 9.5 percent from 11.2 percent.

Tunica County reported the highest unemployment, at 12.1 percent. Sharkey and Issaquena counties stood at 10.9 and 10.6 percent, respectively, down from more than 12 percent last month.