PHOENIX — Graham County was the only county in Arizona to see a declines in unemployment claims in February, sharing with Greenlee County the lowest unemployment in the state.
According to data released March 25 by the Arizona Commerce Authority, Graham County dropped from 6.1 percent in January to 5.9 percent unemployment in February.
Meanwhile, Greenlee County’s unemployment increased 0.1 point last month, going from 5.8 percent in January to 5.9 percent in February.
Yavapai County was the only other Arizona county showing similar numbers to Graham and Greenlee, holding steady over the first two months of 2021 at 6.0 percent..
Statewide, unemployment is at 6.9 percent, up 0.2 points from January and up 2 points from February 2020. The national rate dropped 0.1 points to 6.2 percent.
Every economic sector reported job gains in February save one — construction lost 1,000 jobs.
Posting job gains were: Trade, transportation and utilities (up 4,500 jobs); leisure and hospitality (up 3,100 jobs); manufacturing (up 1,800 jobs); education and health services (up 1,600 jobs); information (up 1,300 jobs); professional and business services (up 500 jobs); financial activities (up 500 jobs); and natural resources and mining (up 100 jobs).