In reports released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for December 2014, Lincoln County ranks 21st in the state its lowest unemployment rate in five years.

With a rate of 6.9, Lincoln County sits between the U.S. average of 5.4 and a state rate of 7.1. Rates for the surrounding areas were 7.3 for Copiah County, 7.3 for Lawrence County and 7.8 for Franklin County.

“If I’m not mistaken, this is the first time it’s been under seven in a while,” Executive Director of the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce Garrick Combs said about Lincoln County’s rate.

Historical data from the BLS backs up Combs’s claims. Lincoln County’s unemployment rate five years ago in December 2009 was 11.6 and has dropped, in varying degrees, to come resting at 6.9 for December 2014. Previous years have had rates of 10.6 in December 2010, 9.6 in December 2011, 8.9 in 2012 and 7.0 in December 2013.

Combs attributes the county’s steady decline in the unemployment rate to the county’s trend of increased economic activity. He said in the past 18 months more economic activities have brought jobs on line for the people in Lincoln County. One of the organizations he mentions that have done that is American Railcar which held it’s ribbon cutting Oct. 23, 2014 and is currently providing 30 jobs to area people.

Combs said December’s low rate might have something to do with increases in Christmas spending when retail stores pick up temporary help.

“It’ll be interesting to see if the trend continues over the next three months,” Combs said.

Mississippi Labor Market Data reports for December 2014, 26 of Mississippi’s 82 counties posted unemployment rates less than or equal to the state’s rate. Desoto County had the lowest rate, 4.4, and Tunica County had the highest rate of 14.7. Mississippi ranked 50th in unemployment with District of Columbia having a higher adjusted rate of 7.3.