Lincoln County’s unemployment rate continues its drop with August’s number 1.5 percentage points below the previous month.

At 5.4 percent, Lincoln County’s rate falls just below the state average of 5.6, which fell from 6.9 in July. With the exception of an increase in May, Lincoln County’s jobless rate has consistently dropped each month of 2015. The rate is just above the unemployment rate for the U.S., which dropped from 5.3 in July to 5.2 in August.

The 12-month unemployment rate average for Lincoln County is 6.2. Mississippi’s is 6.8.

Lincoln County’s labor force dropped by 210 people. The number of unemployed people dropped to 760 from 920. The labor force has increased by 450 people from August 2014 to August 2015.

According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, there were 207 job openings as of Sept. 22.

The unemployment rate is the lowest August rate in five years. The highest was 9.8 in 2011.

The number of new unemployment claims is down from 74 in July to 48 in August. The number of new claims in August 2014 was 65. Lincoln County’s amount of unemployment benefits has increased. August 2015 saw $95,599 paid out. July 2015 was $81,363. August 2014 was $83,416.

Lincoln County has lower rates than all seven adjacent counties. Copiah was 6 percent, Lawrence was 7.2, Walthall was 7.1, Pike was 6,  Amite was 6.6, Franklin was 6.7 and Jefferson was 13.5.

For more information, visit mdes.ms.gov.