Kemper County’s unemployment rate dropping

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By Steve Swogetinsky

The Kemper Messenger

Kemper County’s unemployment rate for May dropped 2.9 percent points when compared the previous month which saw numbers across the nation spike because of the Coronavirus Pandemic which forced the shutdown of many businesses and industry.

But the 11.3 unemployment rate was above the 8.1 rate reported a year ago according to state Employment Security Commission data.

In May, Kemper County’s labor force stood at 3450 people. Of that, 390 people were unemployed, which was 80 less the month before.

Mississippi’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2020 was 10.5 percent, decreasing 5.2 percentage points from the previous month’s rate of 15.7 percent.

When compared to the May 2019, the rate increased 5.2 percentage points over the year. The number of unemployed decreased 60,000 over the month, while the employed total increased 79,000 from the prior month.

The Nation’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2020 at 13.0 percent decreased 1.4 percentage points over the month, but was 9.6 percentage points higher than the year ago rate of 3.4 percent. Mississippi’s not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment had an increase of 31,200 jobs over the month but 87,500 fewer jobs than one year ago.

Industry sectors registering the largest monthly employment gains were Leisure & Hospitality; and Trade, Transportation & Utilities.

For the month of May 2020, 54 counties in Mississippi posted unemployment rates less than or equal to the state’s rate of 10.5 percent.

Smith County posted the lowest unemployment rate for the month of May at 5.4 percent followed by Choctaw County at 6.5 percent. Tunica County had the highest unemployment rate for May at 23.5 percent followed by Holmes County at 21.3 percent.

 The decrease in the number of unemployed Mississippians and the increase in the nonfarm employment can be linked to COVID-19.

As more restrictions are eased the number of unemployed should continue to decrease and the nonfarm employment should continue to increase.






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