Jobless Rates Up in March

Jobless rates were up from one year earlier in every area county in March.

Effingham County's March jobless rate was 5.8%, lower than any surrounding county, but up from 5.1% one year earlier.

Other area counties and their rates:

Cumberland--6.3%, up from 5.6%

Shelby--7.3%, up from 5.9%

Clay--8.2%, up from 7.3%

Fayette--7.7%, up from 6.6%

Jasper--7.0%, up from 6.4%

Over the year, employment advances were reported in Retail Trade and Health Services in the region. Employment in Transportation continued to increase. Payroll gains also occurred in Manufacturing and Professional-Business Services. Seasonal employment expansions occurred in Construction and Leisure-Hospitality. Mining and Government employment steadily declined during the past year.