After an increase in May, Lincoln County’s unemployment rate continues to decline.

June’s rate dropped to 6.5 percent, and July’s rate dropped to 6.4. Both numbers are below the state averages: 7 percent in June and 6.9 in July. They are above the U.S. averages of 5.3 in June and July.

The lowest unemployment rate was in Rankin County at 3.9. The highest was in Issaquena County at 17.1.

Although the rate dropped in Lincoln County, the actual number of unemployed remained the same. In June the labor force had 14,190 people. That number increased in July to 14,390. In both months, there were 920 people unemployed. Mississippi Department of Employment services reports that as of Aug. 26, there are 274 job openings in Lincoln County.

July saw an increase from June in new unemployment claims and total unemployment claims dollars. However, unemployment claims are down from July 2014.

The claims rate is part of a bigger trend that shows better numbers across the board from 2014 to 2015. In July 2014, the unemployment rate for the U.S. was 6.2, for Mississippi was 8.7 and for Lincoln County was 7.6.

Not only has the unemployment rate decreased, but the labor force has increased. The labor force in 2014 in Lincoln County was 13,880 with 1,050 unemployed.

Over the past 12 months, Lincoln County has averaged an unemployment rate of 6.3 percent with a labor force of 13,720. On average, 860 people have been unemployed.

For more information, visit mdes.ms.gov.