Report shows increase in county’s jobless rate

St. Francis County’s jobless rate increased from May to June, according to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.

In May, the county’s unemployment rate was 6.9%, which increased to 7.4% in June, according to a report at Discover Arkansas, a website maintained by Workforce Services. Labor force numbers, as well as the total numbers of employed residents, fluctuated during this period.

St. Francis County’s unemployment was the eighth highest, of the state’s 75 counties, during June.

The total of employed residents for SFC in May was 7,276, which increased to 7,336 in June, resulting in the 7.4% jobless rate.

The labor force number for SFC in May was 7,813, which rose to 7,925 in June, with a total of 589 unemployed residents within the county compared to May, which saw 537 without jobs.

Lee County, in May, had a 6.3% unemployment rate, which was lower compared to the 6.6% reported in June.

In May, Lee County reported 2,471 residents were working, which rose slightly to 2,472 employed residents in June. The civilian labor force numbers rose between May and June in Lee County with the reported number in May being 2,638 and in June being 2,648. The number of unemployed residents saw an increase during this time period from 167 in May to 176 in June.

Cross County’s unemployment rate was 5% in May, which increased to 5.5% in June.

In May, Cross County had 394 residents unemployed, which decreased to 351 in June. The number of employed residents in Cross County was reportedly 6,728 in May, compared to 6,811 in June. The labor force in Cross County was reported at 7,079 in May, but grew to 7,205 in June.