By David Howell

Unemployment went down over half a percentage point over the month of October for Panola County.
The latest figures from the Mississippi Department of Employment Services show 10.3 percent unemployment for the county in October, down from September’s 11percent.

The MDES estimates that 14,400 people were employed during October, up from 14,220 in September.
 
The labor force increased over the month as well, going from 15,990 in September to 16,060 in October. The labor force is defined by MDES as the estimated number of people eligible for work or actively looking for work.

Just three years ago in October 2009, the unemployment rate was 12.9 percent. And, just two years before that in October 2007, the rate was almost half that at 7.8 percent.

In comparison to the six surrounding counties, the Panola unemployment rate was less than Tunica (12.2) and Quitman 11.4 but more than Lafayette (5.9), Tate (8.6), Yalobusha (8.8) and Tallahatchie (9.7).

Initial unemployment insurance claims increased over the month, going from 143 in September to 171 in October. Continuing claims fell from 1,805 in September to 1,696 in October.

Mississippi’s unadjusted unemployment rate for October was 8.3 percent, decreasing eight-tenths of a percentage point from the September rate of 9.1 percent. When compared to the year ago rate of 10.6 percent, the rate decreased 2.3 percentage points. Over the month, the number of unemployed decreased 10,400, while the employed total increased 12,000.

The nation’s unadjusted unemployment rate for October at 7.5 percent was down one-tenth of a percentage point from the prior month and one percentage point from the year ago rate of 8.5 percent.