Anson County's unemployment rate for October 2011 remained at 12.2 percent for the second straight month, the North Carolina Division of Employment Security (DES) announced Thursday, Dec. 1.

Statewide, unemployment decreased in 83 of North Carolina's 100 counties, increased in 12 and stayed the same in five.

“October data showed a decrease in all of the state’s metropolitan areas,” said DES Assistant Secretary Lynn R. Holmes. “While unemployment rates dropped in most of the counties, there are counties with rates that are higher than 10 percent. We continue to work with our workforce partners in assisting our customers in job search assistance in our DES offices and JobLink Career Centers across the state."

Of the 9,742 that make up Anson's work force, 1,191 were receiving unemployment benefits in October, DES reported.

Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in October, at 5.4 percent, while Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate, at 16.6 percent.

In neighboring counties, Richmond's rate decreased to 12.9 percent, Stanly's was down slightly to 10.4 percent and Union remained the same as September, at 9.0 percent.