May unemployment figures for Adams County rose by just more than two points over April’s numbers.

The Mississippi Employment Security Commission reported Adams County’s rate at 7.3 percent as compared to 5.2 percent in April.

Fifteen counties registered double digit rates, topped by Holmes at 18.4 percent and including Jefferson County in Southwest Mississippi at 16.5 percent, up from 12.2 in April.

Seasonal influences put a damper on labor force conditions in May, the commission reported, pushing the overall state unemployment rate to 5.2 percent, up from 4.4 percent in April.

As expected, the first wave of student job seekers flooded the job market. The civilian labor force added 14,300 people over the month, as the number of unemployed grew by 11,200.

Approximately 3,100 more people were employed since April. When adjusted for seasonality, the May jobless rate remained at 5 percent but decreased 1 percentage point over the year.

Despite the rise in the unemployment rate, several industrial segments witnessed increases in employment levels.

Thirty-five counties bettered the state rate of 5.2 percent, with Lafayette County posting the lowest rate at 2.1 percent. Desoto County was second with a 2.4 percent rate, and Lamar County’s rate was 2.6 percent.

Seasonal factors should again play heavily on conditions in June and July as the full brunt of youthful job seekers puts even more pressure on a crowded job market, the commission said.