Beaufort County’s unemployment rate did not change from November 2016 to December 2016, staying at 5.5 percent, according to information compiled by the Labor & Economics Analysis Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased slightly, going up one-tenth of a percent, from 4.8 percent in November to 4.9 percent in December. The state’s jobless rate in December 2015 was 5.6 percent.

“By nearly all measures, North Carolina’s economy improved in 2016. Even the recent increase in unemployment is not a concern. The rise in unemployed can be accounted for in the growth of those actively seeking employment. Preliminary estimates suggest that North Carolina’s labor force participation rate reached a 46-month high in December. However, the labor force and employment figures for the month, and all of 2016, are currently under review by LEAD and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as we begin our annual process of data revisions. When new 2016 figures are released in March, monthly numbers may change, but the trend of our expanding economy will remain,” according to a department news release.

Among the state’s 100 counties in December, 42 of them had unemployment rates of 5 percent or lower, 56 counties had jobless rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and two counties had a jobless rate of 10 percent or higher. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate in December at 11.6 percent, according to LEAD data. Buncombe County had the lowest jobless rate in November at 3.7 percent.

Across the state, 71 of the state’s 100 counties saw their unemployment rates increase from November 2016 to December 2016. Jobless rates declined in nine counties and remained unchanged in 20 counties, according to LEAD data.

For December, Beaufort County’s jobless rated was ranked 65^th in the state.

Beaufort County’s workforce for December came to 20,367 people, with 19,250 on the job and earning paychecks. That left 1,117people in that workforce without employment, according to LEAD data. Beaufort County’s workforce for November totaled 20,406 people, with 19,277 on the job and earning paychecks. That left 1,129 people in that workforce without employment, according to LEAD data.

Hyde County’s jobless rate increased from 95.1 percent in November to 11.6 percent in December. In December 2016, its unemployment rate was at 11.6 percent.

From November to December, Martin County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.5 percent to 6.7 percent. In December 2016, its jobless rate was at 7.2 percent.

Pitt County’s jobless rate was at 5.3 percent in December, up from 5.1 percent in the previous month. In December 2016, its unemployment rate was at 5.6 percent.

Washington County’s unemployment rate increased from 7.5 percent in November to 7.9 percent in December. In December 2016, the county’s jobless rate was at 8.9 percent.

The Washington statistical area’s jobless rate in December was 5.5 percent, unchanged from the previous month. The Greenville-Washington combined statistical area’s jobless rate for December was 5.3 percent, up from 5.2 percent in November.

Of the state’s 15 metropolitan statistical areas, five of the six MSAs east of Interstate 95 and the Fayetteville MSA had the highest unemployment rates in December, all above or at the state rate of 4.9 percent, according to LEAD figures. The Wilmington MSA’s jobless rate for December was 4.7 percent.

The jobless figures released by the Commerce Department do not include unemployed people whose unemployment insurance benefits expired and who are not listed as unemployed. Factor in those people and a county’s true jobless rate is higher.