JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi unemployment stayed low in April, tying the record low of 5 percent since current surveys began in 1976.
March’s jobless rate was revised up slightly to 5.1 percent. A year ago, Mississippi recorded 6 percent unemployment.
More people entered the labor force and more reported having jobs.
It’s the 10th month Mississippi has dipped to 5 percent, including six months in 1999 and three in 2000.
Low unemployment nationwide means Mississippi’s jobless rate tied for seventh-highest among states. The U.S. rate fell to 4.4 percent in April from March’s 4.5 percent.
Mississippi payrolls were flat at 1.14 million in April. That separate survey - many economists’ top labor market indicator - was level with April 2016.
The U.S. Labor Department released figures Friday, adjusted to cancel out seasonal changes.
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