A dip in the overall labor force caused the second drop in Warren County’s unemployment rate to start 2012.

Local unemployment stood at 10 percent for February, down from a revised 10.8 percent in January, according to totals released Wednesday by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The labor force shrank by 1,160 people for the month, to 21,380 from 22,540. Those seeking unemployment benefits also decreased, to 2,130 for the month compared to 2,320 in January.

The mark equaled the lowest local jobless rate since December 2010. The last time local unemployment was below double digits was October 2010, when the agency reported a revised 9.9 percent.

Statewide unemployment was 9.5 percent in February, down six-tenths of a percent. The mark was steady when adjusted for seasonal factors.

Rankin and Tunica counties registered the state’s lowest and highest respective jobless rates in January. Rankin dropped three-tenths of a point, to 6.1 percent. Tunica was at 17.4 percent, lower than January’s 17.9 percent.

Claiborne and Sharkey counties recorded lower rates in February. Claiborne was at 13 percent, down from 14.4 percent in January. Sharkey was at 14.8 percent, down from 16 percent. Issaquena County was unchanged in February, at 14.6 percent.