PHOENIX — The unemployment rate in Graham County dropped slightly in February.
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Graham County’s jobless rate fell three-tenths of a percentage point, to 3.3 percent in February, the lowest unemployment has been in Graham County since March 2023. Graham has the third-lowest rate in the state, behind Greenlee and Maricopa.
The unemployment rate in Greenlee County held firm in February, at 2.8 percent. Despite the lack of movement, it’s the sixth month in a row unemployment has been under 3 percent in Greenlee, and the 27th consecutive month Greenlee has had the lowest unemployment in the state.
The unemployment rate in nearby Cochise County dipped one-tenth of a point in February, falling to 4.3 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a point in February, to 4.1 percent, which is four-tenths of point higher than the same time last year. The national rate increased two-tenths of a point to 3.9 percent.
Job gains were reported in six economic sectors: Government (up 7,100 jobs), professional and business services (up 3,800 jobs), leisure and hospitality (up 3,300 jobs), private education and health services (up 3,000 jobs), financial activities (up 1,000 jobs), and natural resources and mining (up 100 jobs).
Reporting job losses were: Trade, transportation and utilities (down 2,100 jobs); construction (down 600 jobs); information (down 500 jobs); and manufacturing (down 100 jobs).
