Unemployment in Newton County dropped nearly a point in the month of Sept, according to a government shutdown-delayed report from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
After a slight drop in August, September’s unemployment number came in at 3.5 percent, eight-tenths of a point lower. The rate comes in slightly higher than a year ago, when it was reported at 3.2 percent.
The county’s 3.5 percent rate ranks as the state’s 22nd lowest rate in the state, sharing the ranking with three other counties: Calhoun, Jackson, and Pearl River County.
The estimated number of unemployed in Newton County for the month of September dropped by 30 to 350, while the number of employed dropped by 150 to 7,760. The county’s civilian labor force also dropped by 180, down to 8,110.
Mississippi’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September 2025 was 3.6 percent, decreasing six-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month but increasing three-tenths of a percentage point over the year. The number of employed Mississippians increased 15,685 over the month while the number of unemployed Mississippians decreased 7,259 over the month. The Nation’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September 2025 at 4.3 percent decreased two-tenths of a percentage point over the month but increased four-tenths percentage point from the year ago rate of 3.9 percent.
Mississippi’s not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased 3,700 over the month and 12,900 over the year. Industry sectors registering the largest monthly employment gains were Government, and Private Education & Health Services.
For the month of September 2025, twenty-eight counties in Mississippi posted unemployment rates less than or equal to the state’s rate of 3.6 percent. Rankin County posted the lowest unemployment rate for the month of September at 2.6 percent followed by Lafayette County at 2.7 percent. Jefferson County had the highest unemployment rate for September at 9.6 percent followed by Claiborne County at 8.6 percent.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September 2025 at 3.8 percent decreased one-tenth of a percentage point over the month. When compared to one year ago, the rate was four-tenths
