Unemployment was down in much of the state in August, including Warren County.
Joblessness was 8 percent for the month, down from 9.1 percent in July, according to figures released Wednesday by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. A lower overall labor force contributed to the rate locally —19,520 workers were counted in it for the month. It stood at 20,020 in July. The number of persons counted unemployed improved to 1,570, from 1,830 in July.
The unemployment rate is calculated by a survey that asks how many people are looking for a job. A second survey each month asks employers how many people are on their payrolls, a measure many economists use as their top labor market indicator.
Statewide, unemployment stood at 7.4 percent, down 1.2 points for the month. The biggest areas of job gains were in the government and educational/health services sectors.  Seasonally adjusted, the state’s rate was 7.9 percent. The national rate was 6.3 percent in April, down from 6.5 percent in March.
Rankin County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state, at 4.4 percent. Claiborne, Sharkey and Issaquena counties had lower joblessness in August. Rates were 14.9 percent for Claiborne, down 1.7 points; 9 percent for Sharkey, down a point; and 10.2 percent for Issaquena, down 3.6 points.