According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, the state’s unemployment rate rose to 5.4% in September. This represents a .2% increase from August when the rate was 5.2%.
The September 2019 rate is .7% higher than it was a year ago in September 2018, when the rate was 4.7%.
The number of non-farm jobs in Mississippi did rise by 700 in September to 1,170,500, which ties for the second most jobs ever recorded in Mississippi.
Since September 2018, the number of jobs in the state has increased by 16,900. These numbers are based on a survey of employers which is recognized as the most reliable indicator of job growth, according to the MDES.
The Labor Force, which is made up of everyone who has a job or is looking for a job, expanded in September by 5,100 to 1,287,400. In the past year, the Labor Force has increased by 13,600.
The number of unemployed Mississippians rose by 2,400 in September to 69,300. Since September 2018, the number of unemployed Mississippians has increased by 10,000.
The number of Mississippians working rose in September 2019 by 2,700 to 1,218,100; and since September 2018, employed individuals increased by 3,600. This is the most Mississippians employed since July 2008.
