Unemployment rates last month rose in 11 area counties, remained steady in two, and declined slightly in two others. The latest statistics are from the Missouri Division of Employment Security for the month of May.

Grundy County's jobless rate in May is 6 1/2 percent, up 0.3% from April. Other May unemployment rates across north-central Missouri include Caldwell County at 8.5%, Clinton at 8.4, Linn at 7.9, and Carroll 7.8. Those counties are ABOVE the state average of 7.3 percent.

Daviess County is just below the state average at 7.2 percent unemployment, followed by Livingston at 6.9, Grundy 6.5, Adair 6.4, Harrison 6.3, DeKalb 6.2, Mercer at 6 even, Chariton 5.9, Putnam 5.5, Sullivan 5.4, Gentry 5.3, and Worth 5.2 percent unemployment for the month of May.

Declines were noted in Harrison and Putnam Counties, while Mercer and DeKalb remained steady.

With a closer look at the STATEWIDE jobless rates, here is the MissouriNet's Bob Priddy:

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