PHOENIX — The unemployment rate in both Greenlee and Graham counties increased in January, but both continue to be the best places to find a job in the state of Arizona
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
For the 38th month in a row, the unemployment rate in Greenlee County is the lowest in the state, at 2.6 percent in January, up two-tenths of a point from December. Greenlee is also the only county in Arizona with an unemployment rate under 3 percent.
Graham County’s jobless rate also increased in January, climbing five-tenths of a percentage point, to 3.5 percent. Graham holds the third-lowest unemployment rate in the state, behind Greenlee and Maricopa County at 3.4 percent.
The unemployment rate in Cochise County increased six-tenths of a point in January, to 4.7 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a point in January, 3.9 percent, while the national unemployment decreased by one-tenth of a point, to 4 percent.
Job gains were reported in just two economic sectors: Private educational services (up 500 jobs), and natural resources and mining (up 100 jobs).
Reporting job losses were: Trade, transportation and utilities (down 18,900 jobs); government (down 5,800 jobs); health care and social assistance (down 4,400 jobs); professional and business services (down 4,000 jobs); manufacturing (down 2, 500 jobs); financial activities (down 2,500 jobs); leisure and hospitality (down 1,800 jobs); construction (down 600 jobs); and information (down 300 jobs).
