Lincoln County’s unemployed population was 430 in March, or 3 percent of the available workforce of 14,400.

It falls below the state average of 3.1 percent for the same time period. The national rate was 3.6 percent.

The civilian workforce includes all individuals age 16 or older who are not full-time students, farm workers, or members of the military.

In February, 450 people in a total workforce of 14,360 said they were looking for, but unable to find, employment. That was 3.1 percent of the available-to-work population at that time. In March 2022, the unemployment rate was 3.2 percent.

Lincoln’s 3 percent for March remains below the 12-month average of 3.5 percent for the county.

The unemployment rate for counties bordering Lincoln ranged from 3.5 to 8.4 — Copiah, 3.5; Lawrence, 3.6; Pike, 3.6; Amite, 3.9; Walthall, 4; Franklin, 4.2; and Jefferson, 8.4.

Jefferson County had the highest unemployment percentage, although its 8.4 percent represents 150 people from a total of 1,760. Next highest was Issaquena County, which had a workforce of only 300 people, with 20 unemployed — 6.6 percent. It was the county with the lowest unemployed population.

The most people unemployed in a single county were in Hinds County — 3,040 (3 percent) from a workforce of 101,930.

Union County had the lowest unemployment rate at just 2.2 for March. That rate was for 320 people out of a 14,690-strong workforce.

Monthly estimates of the labor force, employment, unemployment and the unemployment rate are generated by the Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program, a cooperative program between the Bureau of Labor Statistics and State Employment Security Agencies.

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security’s WIN Job Centers are available all over the state, including Brookhaven, to offer programs and resources geared toward helping individuals find employment. The Brookhaven office at 545 Brookway Blvd. serves Copiah, Franklin, Lawrence and Lincoln counties. Amite, Pike and Walthall counties are served by the McComb office at 1400-A Harrison Ave. Jefferson County is served by the Natchez office at 107 John Pitchford Pkwy.