PHOENIX — Both Greenlee and Graham counties saw a significant decline in jobless claims in November.
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
The jobless rate in Greenlee County decreased four-tenths of a point in November, to 2.5 percent. It’s the third month in a row unemployment has been under 3 percent in Greenlee, which has had the lowest unemployment in the state for 24 consecutive months.
Graham County’s jobless rate also dropped, falling five-tenths of a percentage point, to 3.6 percent in November. Graham has the fourth-lowest rate in the state, behind Greenlee, Yavapai at 3.4 percent and Maricopa at 3.5 percent.
The unemployment rate in nearby Cochise County decreased four-tenths of a point in November, to 4.6 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a point in November, to 4.3 percent, which is three-tenths of point higher than the same time last year. The national rate dropped two-tenths of a point to 3.7 percent.
Job gains were reported in every economic sector in November, including: Trade, transportation and utilities (up 16,600 jobs); professional and business services (up 9,100 jobs); construction (up 3,300 jobs); private education and health services (up 2,900 jobs); leisure and hospitality (up 1,700 jobs); financial activities (up 1,100 jobs); government (up 500 jobs); manufacturing (up 400 jobs); information (up 300 jobs); and natural resources and mining job (up 100 jobs).
