Lawrence County unemployment rate increases in January

The unemployment rate in Lawrence County increased in January, as compared to the previous month.

According to preliminary figures from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, there were 4,630 persons in the labor force in the county. Of these, 200 or 4.2% were unemployed, indicating that 4,440 were employed. This compares with the state unemployment rate of 3.4%. The county ranked 57th, tying with Pike, among the state’s 82 counties.

The U.S. average for January was 4.1%.

During the month of December, there were 4,810 Lawrence Countians in the labor force, of which 160 or 3.4% were unemployed, indicating that 4,650 were employed. This compares with the statewide unemployment rate of 2.6% for the same month.

During the month of January 2023, the unemployment rate in Lawrence County was 4.5%. The state unemployment rate for the same  month was 3.4%.

Lawrence County is a part of the Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District, which includes Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Walthall, and Wilkinson counties. Preliminary figures show there were 61,330 in the workforce in the nine-county district during December, of which 2,380 were unemployed for an unemployment rate of 3.9%.

In December, there were 61,330 citizens were in the workforce, with 2,380 or 3.9% unemployed.

The unemployment rate in the district in January 2023 was 4.7%.

Statistics are also provided for community college districts and in the Copiah-Lincoln district, preliminary figures show there were 54,620 in the workforce, with 2,300 or 4.2% unemployed during January.

In December, there were 54,970 citizens in the workforce, with 1,820 or 3.3% unemployed.

In January 2023, the unemployment rate in the district was 4.3%.