PHOENIX — The job market ended 2024 on a high note in Graham and Greenlee counties.
That’s according to data released Thursday by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.
Greenlee County’s jobless rate decreased four-tenths of a point in December, to 2.4 percent. It’s the fifth month in a row unemployment in Greenlee County has been under 3 percent, and the 37th month in a row Greenlee has had the lowest unemployment rate in the state.
Graham County’s jobless rate also decreased in December, fallen six-tenths of a percentage point, to 3.0 percent. Graham shares the second lowest unemployment rate in the state with Yavapai County, while Maricopa County is fourth lowest at 3.1 percent.
The unemployment rate in Cochise County fell three-tenths of a point in December to 4.1 percent.
Statewide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a point in December, to 3.8 percent, while the national unemployment rate fell by one-tenth of a point to 4.1 percent.
Job gains were reported in seven economic sectors: Trade, transportation and utilities (up 5,000 jobs); health care and social assistance (up 800 jobs); financial activities (up 700 jobs); professional and business services (up 600 jobs); leisure and hospitality (up 400 jobs); information (up 200 jobs); and natural resources and mining (up 100 jobs).
Reporting job losses were: Government (down 4,800 jobs), construction (down 3,700 jobs), private educational services (down 900 jobs) and manufacturing (down 100 jobs).
