PHOENIX — For the 36th month in a row, the unemployment rate in Greenlee County is the lowest in the state.
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
Greenlee County’s jobless rate increased one-tenth of a point in November, to 2.9 percent. However, despite the jump, Greenlee continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the state and is the only county where unemployment is below 3 percent.
Graham County’s jobless rate also increased in November, climbing three-tenths of a percentage point, to 3.6 percent. Graham holds the fourth-lowest jobless rate in the state, behind Greenlee, Yavapai County at 3.3 percent and Maricopa County at 3.4 percent.
The unemployment rate in Cochise County increased two-tenths of a point in November to 4.4 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a point in November, 3.7 percent, while the national unemployment rate also increased by one-tenth of a point, to 4.2 percent.
Job gains were reported in seven economic sectors: Trade, transportation and utilities (up 18,200 jobs); health care and social assistance (up 4,500 jobs); government (up 3,300 jobs); leisure and hospitality (up 3,000 jobs); manufacturing (up 2, 500 jobs); professional and business services (up 2,500 jobs); and information (up 500 jobs).
Reporting job losses were: Construction (down 1,100 jobs), financial activities (down 1,000 jobs), and private educational services (down 400 jobs).
Natural resources and mining reported no job growth or loss in November.
