Unemployment rates rose in 72 of Oklahoma's 77 counties in December, according to state data. Le Flore County posted the highest rate of 8.9 percent, followed by McCurtain County at 8.7 percent and Latimer County at 8.4 percent. Unemployment rates were lowest in Ellis County (2.2 percent), Roger Mills County (2.3 percent) and Beaver County (2.4 percent.)
Mickey Hepner, dean of the University of Central Oklahoma's College of Business, said the state's unemployment, as well as sales tax figures, show growth has been stagnating since the second half of 2012.
The Oklahoma City metro area having the lowest unemployment among the nation's largest cities is a reflection of where we were, but doesn't reflect any recent growth, he said.
“We built a huge lead. It's shrinking a little bit, but it's still a lead,” Hepner said. “Still, I would much rather be here than anywhere else right now.”
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