MASON COUNTY — Despite the state unemployment rate inching up, the unemployment rate for Mason County was down for June, but only slightly.

Mason County’s latest unemployment rate is at 11.1 percent, down from May’s 11.2 percent and down from June 2011’s rate of 12.9 percent. Though unemployment decreased in Mason County last month, it was still enough for it to be ranked as having the third highest unemployment rate out of 55 counties. Webster County came in second with 11.9 percent unemployment while Boone County came in first with 12.2 percent unemployment - the highest in the state.

In June, Mason County reported 8,830 people employed, up from 8,780 employed in May. Also in June, Mason County reported 1,100 unemployed people, the same as in May which also reported 1,100 unemployed people - there were 1,340 unemployed people reported in June 2011 in Mason County.

Last month’s unemployment rates climbed in 23 counties with 25 counties reporting falling unemployment rates. Seven counties, Jefferson, Marion, Nicholas, Raleigh, Ritchie, Taylor and Webster, reported no change in unemployment rates. Counties with the lowest unemployment rates include Monroe and Putnam each at 5.8 percent, Jefferson at 5.2 percent and Monongalia at 5.2 percent.

Employment declines included 600 in construction and 200 in mining and logging. Manufacturing employment was unchanged. Within the service-providing sector, employment declines included 800 in leisure and hospitality, 600 in trade, transportation and utilities and 200 in financial activities. Employment gains included 600 in professional and business services, 400 in government and 200 in other services. Employment in educational and health services was unchanged over the month.

As reported at the beginning of this article, the state’s unemployment rate inched up one-tenth of a percentage point in June to 7 percent. This is still below the national unemployment rate which was unchanged at 8.2 percent.