PHOENIX — The number of jobless claims increased in January in both Greenlee and Graham counties.
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
The unemployment rate in Greenlee County increased four-tenths of a point in January, to 2.8 percent. Despite the increase, it’s the fifth month in a row unemployment has been under 3 percent in Greenlee, and the 26th consecutive month Greenlee has had the lowest unemployment in the state.
Graham County’s jobless rate increased two-tenths of a percentage point, to 3.6 percent in January. Graham has the fourth-lowest rate in the state, behind Greenlee, Maricopa at 3.3 percent and Yavapai at 3.5 percent.
The unemployment rate in nearby Cochise County remained flat in January, holding at 4.3 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate remained flat in January, holding at 4.2 percent, which is five-tenths of point higher than the same time last year. The national rate also remained flat, at 3.7 percent.
Job losses were reported in nine economic sectors: Trade, transportation and utilities (down 14,600 jobs); leisure and hospitality (down 5,600 jobs); financial activities (down 5,100 jobs); professional and business services (down 4,200 jobs); construction (down 2,500 jobs); manufacturing (down 1,600 jobs); private education and health services (down 1,600 jobs); government (down 1,500 jobs); and information (down 700 jobs).
Natural resources and mining reported neither job gains nor losses.
