The latest figures from the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) show that the unemployment rate for Northumberland County increased slightly from September to October.
DLI reported Nov. 28 that the October unemployment rate was 8.8 percent compared to September's 8.7 percent.
The county unemployment rate is above both the seasonably adjusted rates of 7.9 percent nationally and 8.1 percent statewide.
The most recent Northumberland County rate is higher than it was a year ago at 8.6 percent, but it's lower than it was two years ago at 9.9 percent and three years ago at 10.6 percent.
The highest unemployment rate of 2012 so far was 9 percent in August, and the lowest rate was 8 percent in March.
Jobless rates in neighboring counties are Montour, 5.8 percent; Juniata, 7.2 percent; Perry, 7.3 percent; Union, 7.5 percent; Dauphin, 7.7 percent; Snyder, 7.7 percent; Columbia, 7.9 percent; Lycoming, 8.3 percent, and Schuylkill, 9.3 percent.
Montour County has the lowest jobless rate in Pennsylvania. Pike County, at 11.3 percent, has the highest.
There are only five counties in the state at or above a rate of 10 percent.