The percentage of workers unemployed in Lincoln County for January was 3.8, just above the state average of 3.7, but well below the national average at 4.4.

In the first month of the year, Lincoln County had an approximate population of 34,700 and a civilian labor force of 14,610. The 3.8 percent represents 560 people without work during the weeks surveyed. Over the previous 12 months, the county’s workforce ranged from around 14,300 to just under 15,000, with 410 to 540 unemployed each month, or 2.9 to 3.6 percent.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022 — the most recent available data — 8,730 individuals lived and worked within the county. An additional 5,010 lived locally but worked outside the county, while 4,760 lived elsewhere but traveled into the county for work. 

The average income for workers in Lincoln County was $45,265 in 2023, though 22.3 percent of residents were below the poverty level. According to the same data, 87.3 percent of residents had at least a high school diploma and 17.6 percent had at least a college degree.

In the counties surrounding Lincoln, January’s unemployment rates were: Copiah, 4%, 450 of 11,110 available workers; Lawrence, 4.3%, 210 of 4,860; Walthall, 4.3%, 220 of 5,030; Amite, 4.5%, 210 of 4,860; Pike, 4.7%, 650 of 13,960; Franklin, 5%, 140 of 2,870; and Jefferson, 10.7%, 260 of 2,430.

The two Mississippi counties with the lowest unemployment rates for January were Rankin at 2.6% and Union at 2.9%. Rankin had 2,120 people out of work, from a labor force of 81,010. Union had 390 jobless from a labor pool of 13,270.

Hinds County has the largest population of a Mississippi county (214,870), as well as the largest labor force — 98,770 — and the largest actual number of people unemployed (3,680) in January, but a comparatively low rate of 3.7, because it is a percentage of the total.

Issaquena County maintains the smallest population at 1,256, the smallest labor force (320) and the least number of people without work — just 30 — but those 30 are 8.5% of the total.

Labor data

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. 

Statistics on the employment status of the population and related data are compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS is a monthly survey of households conducted by the US Census Bureau. It is a scientifically selected survey designed to represent the civilian non-institutional population of the United States. 

Households selected are interviewed to obtain information about the employment status of each member of the household 16 years of age and older. The inquiry relates to employment activity or status during the calendar week, Sunday through Saturday, which includes the 12th day of the month. This week is known as the reference week. 

The survey is designed so that each person who is over the age of 16 and who is not in an institution such as prison or mental hospital or on active duty with the Armed Forces is only counted and classified in one group; employed, unemployed or not in the labor force. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines an individual employed if they did any work at all for pay or profit during the survey week; this includes all part-time and temporary work as well as full-time year-round employment. Unemployed individuals are those who do not have a job, have actively looked for work during the past four weeks and are currently available for work. The sum of employed and unemployed produces the Civilian Labor Force.