Beaufort County’s unemployment rate increased 0.4 percent during the last two months of 2011, from 10.5 percent in November 2011 to 10.9 percent in December 2011, according to figures released by the N.C. Division of Employment Security on Wednesday.

The unemployment rates in Hyde, Washington and Martin counties also increased from November 2011 to December 2011.

Patrick Oswalt, supervisor of the DES office in Washington, expects Beaufort County’s unemployment rate to hover around the 10-percent mark, as it has for many months, for the foreseeable future.

“We just don’t expect anything. Nothing either way. Nothing negative. Nothing positive,” Oswalt said Wednesday. “As things stand today, I don’t see any changes.”

“Our focus is helping existing and new employers grow jobs in North Carolina,” said N.C. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll. “Assisting our customers with finding work and helping them through programs at our DES offices and JobLink Career Centers statewide remains our priority.”

Jobless rates increased in 93 of the state’s 100 counties from November 2011 to December 2011, according to DES data. Jobless rates fell in four counties and remained the same in three counties. The state’s unemployment rate rose from 9.5 percent in November 2011 to 9.8 percent in December 2011, an increase of 0.3 percent.

Beaufort County’s work force (civilian) was at 21,098 people in December 2011, according to DES figures. Of that number, 2,294 were unable to find work. Beaufort County’s (civilian) work force for November 2011 totaled 21,312 people, with 2,233 of that number unable to secure employment, according to DES data.

Hyde County’s work force for December 2011 came in at 2,698 people, with 357 of those people unable to secure employment, according to DES information. Hyde County’s November 2011 work force came to 2,807 people, with 280 of them unable to find work, according to DES figures.

The work force in Martin County for December 2011 totaled 11,203 people, according to DES data. Of that number, 1,271 could not find jobs. In November 2011, Martin County’s work force totaled 11,358 people, with 1,231 of that number without jobs, according to DES figures.

Washington County’ work force for December 2011 was reported at 6,448 people, according to DES information. Of that number, 814 people were unsuccessful in finding work. Washington County’s November 2011 work force total 6,510 people, but 786 of them were unemployed, according to DES data.

For December 2011, not one county had a jobless rate at 5 percent or below. There were 41 counties with unemployment rates between 5 percent and 10 percent. Fifty-nine counties had unemployment rates at 10 percent or higher, according to DES figures.

Of the state’s 100 counties, Orange County had the lowest jobless rate in December at 6.1 percent. Graham County had the highest jobless rate in December at 17.5 percent.

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