Local unemployment followed the state and the nation on a steady rise in May.

Rates in Warren County stood at 7 percent for the month, up from 5.6 percent in April. It represented the highest unemployment rate recorded in more than a year, exceeding the 6.2 percent average over the past year.

Inside Vicksburg, rates were recorded at 10.4 percent, up from 8.3 percent in April. It represented a higher jobless rate than the 9 percent average over the past year.

Statewide, rates rose to 6.9 percent from 6 percent in April. Nationwide, figures stood at 5.2 percent for the month, up from 4.8 percent in April.

Changes in the labor force conditions from April to May could be traced, largely, to the annual entry of students into the labor force estimates, along with temporary layoffs occurring throughout the state, a release from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security said.

Non-farm employment declined by 700 jobs in May, but remained 2,100 higher in work force numbers, the release said. Gains were noted in the Leisure and Hospitality, Trade Transportation, and Utilities and Financial Activities sectors.

Fifty-five counties reported unemployment rates higher than the statewide average. Rankin County, where rates are traditionally the best in the state, remained that way but rose to 4.3 percent from 3.6 percent a month ago. Lamar and Jones counties recorded rates of 4.7 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively. DeSoto County reported 5.5 percent, up from 4.1 percent in the past month.

Chickasaw County reported the highest unemployment, at 13.3 percent, followed by Jefferson and Clay counties at 12.3 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively.