Warren County’s unemployment fell in March to its lowest mark in 17 months, buoyed by a larger active labor force and fewer unemployed.

Local unemployment stood at 9.3 percent for March, down from a revised 10.1 percent in February, according to totals released Wednesday by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. It was the first time the local jobless rate went below double digits since October 2010.

The labor force shrank by 100 for the month, to 21,300. Those seeking employment benefits also dropped, to 1,980 for the month compared to 2,150 in February.

Figures for March do not factor in most of the 230 layoffs March 28 when Grand Station Casino closed, said Timothy Crudup, office manager for the WIN Job Center on Monroe Street. Many of the casino’s employees applied for unemployment benefits the week after it closed, which are expected to show up in April’s statistics.

Statewide unemployment was 8.7 percent in March, down from 9.5 percent a month ago and down from 10.4 percent in March 2011. Adjusted for seasonal factors in the workplace, the rate was 9 percent.

Rankin and Holmes counties registered the state’s lowest and highest respective jobless rates in February. Rankin dropped seven-tenths of a point, to 5.4 percent. Holmes was at 15.9 percent, down from 17.3 percent in February.

Claiborne, Sharkey and Issaquena counties recorded lower rates in March. Claiborne was at 12.2 percent, down from 13 in January; Sharkey was at 12.7, down from 14.9; and Issaquena County was 14.3 percent, down from 14.7.