PHOENIX — The unemployment rate in both Greenlee and Graham counties increased for the second month in a row in February, but both continue to have the lowest jobless rates in the state of Arizona
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
For the 39th month in a row, the unemployment rate in Greenlee County is the lowest in the state, at 2.7 percent in February, up one-tenths of a point from January. Greenlee is also the only county in Arizona with an unemployment rate under 3 percent.
Graham County’s jobless rate also increased in February, climbing one-tenth of a percentage point, to 3.6 percent. Graham holds the third-lowest unemployment rate in the state, behind Greenlee and Maricopa County at 3.5 percent.
The unemployment rate in Cochise County increased one-tenth of a point in February, to 4.7 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a point in February, 4 percent, while the national unemployment increased by one-tenth of a point, to 4.1 percent.
Job gains were reported in eight economic sectors: Government (up 8,600 jobs), professional and business services (up 4,400 jobs), leisure and hospitality (up 3,200 jobs), construction (up 3,100 jobs), financial activities (up 2,100 jobs), manufacturing (up 600 jobs), private educational services (up 600 jobs), and natural resources and mining (up 200 jobs).
Reporting job losses were: Trade, transportation and utilities (down 2,100 jobs); health care and social assistance (down 800 jobs); and information (down 300 jobs).
