Unemployment up in October

Wahkiakum County's rate of unemployment rose from 10.7 percent in September to 10.9 percent in October, according to the latest report from the state Employment Security Department.

The figures said 160 out of 1,490 in the labor force, 10.9 percent, were out of work in October. In September, 160 of 1,510 people in the labor force, 10.7 percent, were out of work.

In October, 2010, 200 of 1,620 people in the labor force, 12.3 percent, were out of work.

Statewide, unemployed moved down from 8.5 percent in September to 8.3 percent in October. In October, 2010, the rate was 8.8 percent.

Pacific County's rate increased from 10.6 percent in September to 11 percent in October; the rate was 11.3 percent in October, 2010.

Cowlitz County's rate dropped from 11.2 percent in September to 10.8 percent in October; the rate was 11.2 percent in October, 2010.

Whitman County had the state's lowest unemployment rate in October, 5.3 percent, and Grays Harbor County had the highest, 12.7 percent.

In metropolitan areas, Wenatchee had the lowest rate, 6.2 percent, and Everett had the highest, 8.7 percent.