County Unemployment Rate at 15.7%

February unemployment in Winston County was at a rate of 15.7% . This is the ninth highest rate in the state showing some improvement from periods last year when the local unemployment at one time exceeded 20% and was one of the three worst unemployment rates. This compares to the seasonally adjusted statewide rate of 10.2 % (10.4% unadjusted). The adjusted rate for Mississippi actually increased slightly from January (10.1%). Compared to the same time period in 2010, the rate of unemployment in the county has shown significant improvement. February 2010 unemployment figures indicated a rate of 22.3%. While these figures indicate that almost six hundred more individuals are employed now than one year ago, the current rate is a far cry from the 6% unemployment rate that Winston County enjoyed in 2008. Mississippi Department of Employment Security Data indicates that there were 53 new unemployment insurance claims in the county for February with 823 existing claims with benefit payouts of $342,633.