Beaufort County’s unemployment rate for October was 5.6 percent, up from 5.3 percent in September, according to information compiled by the Labor & Economics Analysis Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.

Beaufort County is one of 44 counties that experienced increases in the unemployment rates from September to October. Twenty-two counties saw their unemployment rates decrease from September to October, with 34 counties experiencing no change in their jobless rates during the same period.

The state’s unemployment rate for October was 4.9 percent, up from 4.8 percent in September.

“Initial October estimates show that (North Carolina) added jobs for the 10th time in the past 12 months, but the unemployment rate saw its highest monthly increase in nearly seven years. This was largely due a solid increase in (North Carolina’s) labor force, which has been highly volatile this year. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some adjustment to these figures next month, when the October numbers are revised, or next February, when all 2016 data are revised,” according to the Commerce Department. “Meanwhile, initial unemployment insurance claims rose in October for the fifth straight month — not a welcome sign, but not high enough to raise an alarm just yet. While certainly a factor, the true impact of Hurricane Matthew on claims is not yet known.”

Among the state’s 100 counties in October, 51 of them had unemployment rates of 5 percent or lower, 48 counties had jobless rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and one county had jobless rates of 10 percent or higher. Robeson County had the highest unemployment rate in October at 10.3 percent, according to LEAD data. Buncombe County had the lowest jobless rate October at 3.6 percent.

For October, Beaufort County’s jobless rated was ranked 69^th in the state.

Beaufort County’s workforce for October totaled 20,389 people, with 19,277 on the job and earning paychecks. That left 1,145 people in that workforce without employment, according to LEAD data. Beaufort County’s workforce for September totaled 20,422 people, with 19,307 on the job and bringing home paychecks. That left 1,082 members of that workforce without employment, according to LEAD figures.

Hyde County’s jobless rate increased from 6percent in September to 6.9 percent in October. In October 2015, its unemployment rate was at 6.6 percent.

From September to October, Martin County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.2 percent to 6.8 percent. In October 2015, its jobless rate was at 7.5 percent.

Pitt County’s jobless rate was at 5.6 percent in October, up from 5.1 percent in the previous month. In October 2015, its unemployment rate was at 5.9 percent.

Washington County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.4 percent in September to 7.1 percent in October. In October 2015, the county’s jobless rate was at 8.3 percent.

The Washington statistical area’s jobless rate in October was 5.6 percent, up from 5.3 percent in the previous month. The Greenville-Washington combined statistical area’s jobless rate for October was 5.6 percent, up from 5.1 percent in September.

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 October, all above or at the state rate of 4.9 percent, according to LEAD figures. The Wilmington MSA’s jobless rate for October was 4.5 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.