The unemployment rate in St. Mary Parish decreased by more than a percentage point in one month, following a trend of several surrounding parishes where jobs are beginning to return. St. Mary’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.7 percent in October from the September rate of 7.9 percent, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. September was the first time since December 2015 that the parish’s unemployment rate had been under 8 percent. The parish workforce, which is the sum of parish residents who are employed or looking for work, declined to 19,894 people from 20,013 people over the same time period.