Mecklenburg's unemployment rate rose in December to 9.9 percent, up from 9.7 percent in November but unchanged from a year earlier, according to figures released this morning from the N.C. Department of Commerce.

For the Charlotte, Gastonia and Rock Hill metro area, the jobless rate in December was 10.3 percent, up from 9.9 percent the month before but down from 10.7 percent in December 2010.

North Carolina's statewide unemployment rate -- not seasonally adjusted -- for December was 9.8 percent.

Over the month, the jobless rate increased in 93 counties, decreased in four and was unchanged in three. Unemployment rates increased in 13 of the state's 14 metro areas over the previous month.

In December, the total nonfarm employment for the Charlotte metro area was 809,900. The mining, logging and construction sector recorded the biggest loss in jobs from November -- 1,300, or 3.6 percent. Trade, transportation and utilities saw the largest gain in jobs, month over month, with 2,400, or 1.4 percent.

The government sector in the Charlotte area recorded the biggest loss in jobs year over year in December at 3,900, or 3.3 percent. Conversely, trade, transportation and utilities showed a net gain year over year of 3,900 jobs, or 2.3 percent.

Statewide, the number of workers employed decreased in December from November by 32,021 to 4,038,091. The number of people unemployed rose 12,412 in December to 440,022, compared with 427,610 in November.

Orange County had the state's lowest unemployment rate in December at 6.1 percent. Graham County recorded the highest rate at 17.5 percent. For the Charlotte area, here are the December jobless rates, from lowest to highest:

Union: 8.9 percent

Cabarrus: 9.8 percent

Stanly: 10.3 percent

Iredell: 10.4 percent

Rowan and Lincoln: 10.8 percent

Gaston: 10.9 percent

Catawba: 11.6 percent

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