Lincoln County unemployment was virtually unchanged fromSeptember to October as the county’s jobless rate inched up aslight one-tenth of a point, according to the latest statisticsfrom the Mississippi Employment Security Commission (MESC).

At 5.3 percent, Lincoln County’s rate tied the state average,which was also up one-tenth of a point from September. Incounty-by-county rankings, Lincoln County was 32nd in thestate.

“In this region, we had the second-lowest unemployment,” saidChandler Russ, executive vice-president of the Brookhaven-LincolnCounty Chamber of Commerce.

Lincoln County was second to Amite County, which posted ahalf-point increase to 4.4 percent for October. Amite was 20th incounty-by-county rankings.

“We still have good area labor force numbers,” Russ said.”That’s all attractive to business and industry looking to in thearea.”

In Lincoln County totals, Russ said the number of unemployedmoved up only 10 from 750 to 760 over the two-month period.

“We also had 60 more people in the employed category,” Russsaid, referring to an increase from 13,700 in September to 13,760in October.

The civilian labor force rose from 14,450 in September to 14,520in October.

As far as job sectors, Russ said there was a mild increase inemployment in the non-manufacturing category.

“Everything else was unchanged,” Russ said.

Unemployment results were mixed in other parts of southwestMississippi.

Franklin County posted the largest increase as its total roseeight tenths of a point to 8.2 percent.

Other rate risers were up less than half a point. Copiah Countyjoblessness went up four-tenths to 6.1 percent and Pike County’srate rose two-tenths to 6.9 percent.

At 4.9 percent, Walthall County’s rate was unchanged fromSeptember to October.

In Lawrence County, the jobless rate fell seven-tenths to standat 7 percent.

Jefferson County posted the biggest decrease, falling 1.4percentage points to 14.2 percent. However, that was still thehighest rate in the state.

MESC officials indicated jobless rate changes were mostlylocalized.

“Areas with layoffs, closures or recalls registered the mostmovement in joblessness,” said Curt Thompson, MESC executivedirector.

Thompson said the state’s 5.3 percent compared favorably withthe national 5 percent rate.

Overall, 32 counties were at or below the state average.Lafayette County posted the lowest unemployment rate at 1.8percent.

Unemployment totals for November and December were also expectedto impacted by local economies. Officials said agricultural areascould see higher rates due to the harvest season’s end while urbanareas could post rate declines due to the holiday shoppingseason.