By Rita Howell

Unemployment in Panola declined from 11.5 percent in June to 11.1 percent in July, according to the latest report from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The county had posted its lowest unemployment rate in six years in April, 9.0 percent, but the rate increased for May (10.5) and June.

The state posted a rate of 8.6 for July, with the national jobless rate reported at 6.5

Panola has an estimated labor force of 14,700,with 13,070 employed and  1,630 unemployed in July, according to the MDES. The county’s unemployment rate last July was 11.4 Three years ago, In July, 2011, the rate was 14 percent.

In comparison to the surrounding counties, Panola was higher than Lafayette (7.0), Yalobusha (10.0) and Tallahatchie (10.3) and lower than Tate (11.6), Tunica (18.4), Quitman (13.2).

Panola is ranked 60 out of the 82 counties.

Rankin County has the lowest jobless rate, 4.7, and Holmes has the highest at 19.0 percent.