PHOENIX —Graham and Greenlee counties continue to have the lowest unemployment in the state.
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
The jobless rate in Greenlee County fell seven-tenths of a point to 2.1 percent in March, to give Greenlee County the lowest unemployment in the state for the fourth month in a row and the 13th time in the last 15 months.
Meanwhile Graham County’s unemployment rate also fell seven-tenths of a point to 2.3 percent. That gives Graham County the second-lowest unemployment rate in Arizona, tied with Yavapai County. Graham County is the only other county other than Greenlee to have the lowest unemployment in the state over the past 15 months
Nearby Cochise County dropped eight-tenths of a percentage point, from 3.8 percent in February to 3 percent in March.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell three-tenths of a point in March to 3.3 percent; remaining well below the same time last year, when Arizona’s unemployment rate was at 5.8 percent. The national rate fell two-tenths of a point to 3.6 percent.
Five economic sectors reported job gains in March: education and health services (up 1,700 jobs); manufacturing (up 700 jobs); construction (up 300 jobs); natural resources and mining (up 200 jobs); and trade, transportation and utilities (up 200 jobs).
Reporting job losses were: professional and business services (down 2,700 jobs); leisure and hospitality (down 2,000 jobs); government (down 1,200 jobs); financial activities (down 1,100 jobs); and information (down 600 jobs).
