ORANGE COUNTy-Orange County’s latest unemployment numbers are in, and although a few more people in the area are out of a job, the county still boasts the lowest unemployment rate in the state.

During the month of December, Orange County’s unemployment rate increased slightly from 5.8 percent to 6.1 percent. But Economic Development Director Steve Brantley says Orange County is still showing strong unemployment figures, especially compared to other counties.

“In comparison, Graham County in Western North Carolina has the highest unemployment rate at an unfortunate 17.5 percent,” he says. “And areas in Southeastern North Carolina such as Scotland County are in the 16 percent range.”

An overwhelming 93 out of 100 North Carolina counties saw increasing unemployment rates for the month of December. But Brantley says it’s impossible to tell whether those statistics indicate a general upward trend.

“A trend is unknown because of the impact of year-end financial statements coming often on a calendar year in December,” he says.

For now, Brantley says Orange County is suffering less than other counties partially because it relies less on a manufacturing base, particularly in the furniture and textile industries.

“When the economic decline hit North Carolina, those counties had a disproportionate share of unemployment from those industries,” he says. “Our economy, however, is shaped very much by the presence of the university and the Research Triangle region, along with the research companies in this area. Those businesses have had more stability despite the recession.”

Statewide, the unemployment rate increased in December to 9.8 percent from 9.5 percent in November.