PHOENIX — For the second month in a row, the unemployment rate fell in Greenlee County.
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
The jobless rate in Greenlee County fell two-tenths of a point in September, to 2.9 percent, the first time since May that the unemployment rate in the county has been below 3 percent. September marks the 22nd month in a row Greenlee has had the state’s lowest unemployment.
Graham County’s jobless rate also fell, dropping four-tenths of a percentage point, to 3.9 percent, in September, good for the fourth-lowest rate in the state.
While it’s the second month in a row jobless claims fell, the local unemployment rate remains higher than the same time last year, when Graham County saw 3.6 percent unemployment.
Maricopa County has the state’s second-lowest unemployment at 3.7 percent, while Yavapai County is third at 3.8 percent.
Jobless claims in nearby Cochise County dropped three-tenths of a point in September, to 4.8 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased two-tenths of a point in September, to 4 percent, which is the same as the same time last year. The national rate remained flat at 3.8 percent.
Seven economic sectors reported job gains in September: Government (up 16,3 00 jobs); private education and health services (up 9,400 jobs); professional and business services (up 2,400 jobs); Trade, transportation and utilities (up 2,300 jobs); leisure and hospitality (up 2,000 jobs); manufacturing (up 1,000 jobs); and financial activities (up 400).
Reporting job losses were: Information (down 2,000 jobs); construction (down 1,300 jobs); and natural resources and mining job (down 100 jobs).
