PHOENIX — Both Graham and Greenlee counties saw an uptick in the number of jobless claims in September according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Commerce Authority.
However, despite the increase, Greenlee remains the county with the lowest unemployment rate for the 10th month in a row.
The jobless rate in Greenlee County climbed two-tenths of a point to 3.2 percent in September.
Meanwhile, Graham County’s unemployment increased one-tenth of a point, to 3.6 percent, tied with Yavapai County for the third lowest unemployment in the state.
Maricopa County has the second-lowest jobless rate at 3.5 percent.
Nearby Cochise County increased one-tenth of a percentage point, from 4.5 percent in August to 4.6 percent in September.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased two-tenths of a point in September, up to 3.7 percent; however, the rate remains below the same time last year, when Arizona’s unemployment rate was at 4.2 percent. The national rate dropped five-tenths of a point to 3.3 percent.
Seven economic sectors reported job gains in September: Government (up 14,500 jobs); education and health services (up 4,900 jobs); professional and business services (up 3,500 jobs); manufacturing (up 1,000 jobs); financial activities (up 500 jobs); construction (up 400 jobs); and natural resources and mining (up 100 jobs).
Reporting job losses were: Information (down 1,000 jobs); leisure and hospitality (down 1,000 jobs); and trade, transportation and utilities (down 100 jobs).
