Miss. Again Has Worst Jobless Rate as Payrolls Dip

BY JEFF AMY
Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. — Though its unemployment rate fell in November, Mississippi again reigns undisputed as the state with the highest jobless rate.

The state’s jobless rate fell to 7.3 percent, down from 7.6 percent in October and 8 percent in November 2013. Though 900 more people reported having jobs last month, the fall was driven mainly by people leaving the labor market.

A separate survey shows payrolls fell by 4,500 from October. That puts Mississippi payrolls below the November 2013 level, suggesting weakness in the state’s economy.

Georgia and Mississippi tied for the worst jobless rate in October.

Both sets of figures – adjusted to cancel out seasonal changes – were released Friday by the U.S. Labor Department.

The report found 90,600 Mississippians were unemployed in November, down more than 4,000 from October.