Beaufort County’s unemployment rate fell from 6.3 percent in January to 5.8 percent in February, according to information compiled by the Labor & Economics Analysis Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

From December 2016 through January of this year, each of the state’s 100 counties experienced an increase in the jobless rate (not seasonally adjusted). From January through February, each county had a decrease in the unemployment rate. The state’s unemployment rate fell from 5.5 percent in January to 5 percent in February, according to LEAD figures.

Among the state’s 100 counties in February, 39 of them had unemployment rates of 5 percent or lower, 57 counties had jobless rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and four counties had a jobless rate of 10 percent or higher. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate in February at 15.3 percent, according to LEAD data. Buncombe County had the lowest jobless rate in February at 3.9 percent. All 15 of the state’s metropolitan areas experienced rate decreases from January to February.

After Hyde County, Tyrrell County and Dare County had the next-highest jobless rates in the state for February at 12.1 percent and 13 percent, respectively. The three counties, which adjoin one another, have strong commercial-fishing industries, which are seasonal. In the winter months, many commercial-fishing activities decline, resulting in the layoffs of seasonal workers.

For February, Beaufort County’s jobless rated was ranked 66^th in the state.

In February, Beaufort County’s workforce totaled 20,477 people, with 1,183 of them unable to secure employment and 19,294 members of the workforce on the job, according to LEAD data. In January, Beaufort County’s workforce totaled 20,269 people, with 1,279 of them unable to secure employment and 18,990 members of the workforce on the job, according to LEAD data.

Hyde County’s jobless rate decreased from 16.3 percent in January to 15.3 percent in February. In February 2016, its unemployment rate was at 15.7 percent.

From January to February, Martin County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.4 percent to 6.5 percent. In February 2016, its jobless rate was at 7.7 percent.

Pitt County’s jobless rate was at 5.8 percent in January, falling to 5.2 percent in February. In February 2016, its unemployment rate was at 5.9 percent.

Washington County’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.8 percent in January to 8.1 percent in February. In February 2016, the county’s jobless rate was at 9.5 percent.

The Washington statistical area’s jobless rate in February was 5.8 percent, down from 6.3 percent from the previous month. The Greenville-Washington combined statistical area’s jobless rate for February was 5.3 percent, down from 5.9 percent in January.

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 February, all above or at the state rate of 5 percent, according to LEAD figures. The Wilmington MSA’s jobless rate for February was 4.8 percent. The Rocky Mount MSA was the highest at 7.2 percent for February.

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.