PHOENIX — Despite increases between five- and seven-tenths of a point in May, Greenlee and Graham continue to hold the lowest unemployment rates in the state.
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
Greenlee County’s unemployment rate increased five-tenths of a point in May to 2.3 percent, making May the fifth month in a row that the jobless rate has remained under 3 percent and the 30th month in a row Greenlee County has held the lowest unemployment rate in the state.
Graham County’s jobless rate increased seven-tenths of a percentage point, to 2.8 percent in May. Graham has the second-lowest rate in the state, tied with Maricopa County.
The unemployment rate in nearby Cochise County increased seven-tenths of a point in May, to 3.7 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a point in May, to 3.4 percent, which is three-tenths of a point lower than the same time last year. The national rate increased one-tenth of a point to 4 percent.
“Overall, these trends reflect a stable economic foundation for Arizona, and a continued capacity for business and employment growth,” said Doug Walls, chief economist for the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
Job gains were reported in three economic sectors: Health care and social assistance (up 3,700 jobs), manufacturing (up 1,600 jobs) and financial activities (up 1,200 jobs).
Reporting job losses were: Government (down 5,400 jobs), private educational services (down 4,600 jobs), leisure and hospitality (down 4,600 jobs), professional and business services (down 3,000 jobs), construction (down 300 jobs), natural resources and mining (down 100 jobs), and information (down 100 jobs).
Trade, transportation and utilities reported no job gains or losses in May.
