PHOENIX — Despite jobless claims increasing in Greenlee County in October, Greenlee remains the county with the lowest unemployment rate in the state by a wide margin.
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
The jobless rate in Greenlee County increased one-tenth of a point in October, to 2.9 percent. That unemployment rate is two-tenths of a point lower than the same time last year.
It’s the 23rd month in a row Greenlee has had the state’s lowest unemployment, better than Maricopa County at 3.8 percent and Yavapai County at 3.9 percent.
Graham County’s jobless rate also went up, increasing two-tenths of a percentage point, to 4.1 percent in October, good for the fourth-lowest rate in the state.
The unemployment rate in nearby Cochise County increased one-tenth of a point in October, to 4.9 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased two-tenths of a point in October, to 4.2 percent, which is one-tenth of pint higher than the same time last year. The national rate remained flat at 3.6 percent.
Seven economic sectors reported job gains in October: Trade, transportation and utilities (up 9,500 jobs); private education and health services (up 6,200 jobs); government (up 2,500 jobs); leisure and hospitality (up 700 jobs); professional and business services (up 600 jobs); information (up 200 jobs); and natural resources and mining job (up 200 jobs).
Reporting job losses were: Financial activities (down 2,300 jobs) and manufacturing (down 200 jobs).
The construction job sector reported no job losses or gains.
