PHOENIX — The number of unemployed in Graham and Greenlee counties is lower than it has been in decades.
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
The jobless rate in Greenlee County fell from 3.4 percent in September to 2.8 percent in October, the lowest unemployment in the state.
Graham County’s jobless rate also fell six-tenths of a point, from 3.5 percent in September to 2.9 percent in October, tied with Yavapai County for the second-lowest unemployment in the state.
Nearby Cochise County dropped six-tenths of a point to 3.6 percent unemployment in October.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell five-tenths of a point in October to 5.2 percent; remaining well below the same time last year, when Arizona’s unemployment rate was at 6.8 percent. The national rate fell two-tenths of a point in October to 4.6 percent.
Only one job sector reported losses in October — education and health services, which lost 600 jobs.
Reporting job gains in October were: professional and business services (up 8,400 jobs); leisure and hospitality (up 8,100 jobs); and trade, transportation and utilities (up 8,000 jobs); government (up 1,900 jobs); information (up 1,300 jobs); financial activities (up 900 jobs); manufacturing (up 800 jobs); construction (up 600 jobs); and natural resources and mining (up 100 jobs).
