CELINA-The unemployment rate in Clay County for October rose slightly, but remained unchanged statewide, statistics released by state government show.

The October unemployment figures for Clay County showed a 13.3 percent rate, up from 12.6 percent the previous month.

The statistics showed a labor force of 3,250 (down 20 from the previous month), with 430 people (up 20 from Sept.) filing jobless claims. The jobless rate for October a year ago was 10.6 percent. 

Tennessee’s unemployment rate for October was 10.5 percent, unchanged from the September rate of 10.5 percent. The United States’ unemployment rate for the month of October was 10.2 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for October 2009 show the rate increased in 38 counties, decreased in 42, and remained the same in 15 counties.

The jobless rate is 10 percent or greater in 72 of the state’s 95 counties. Lauderdale County had the highest rate in the state at 18.9 percent, while Gibson County rounded out the highest 10 rates at 15.3 percent.