The unemployment rate in Anson County climbed again in June after reaching its lowest point in recent years in April. Despite the rise, it is still well below that of the highest unemployment rate in the state.

Anson’s unemployment rate went up to 6.9 percent in June, but stayed substantially below Graham County’s rate of 12.3 percent, according to figures released Wednesday by the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division. Buncombe County had the lowest rate in the state at 4.7 percent.

The rates reflect the fact that of Anson’s estimated 11,091 people who make up its workforce, 762 received unemployment benefits in June.

Anson isn’t the only county whose unemployment rate is climbing: 95 counties in the state had increased unemployment rates in June, with only four counties seeing a decrease and one remaining the same, according to the department. In all, 93 counties had unemployment rates between 5 and 10 percent.

Neighboring counties also saw more unemployment. Richmond County’s rate increased from 8.3 percent in May to 8.4 percent in June, while Stanly’s rose from 5.5 to 5.7 percent and Union’s went from 4.9 to 5.1 percent.

In April, Anson had the lowest unemployment rate in recent years at only 5.9 percent, which was 0.1 percent lower than in March.

Last June, the county’s unemployment rate was 7.4 percent, while in June 2013, it was at 11.5 percent.

The department will release the next unemployment update on Aug. 21, when the state unemployment for July will be released.

By Imari Scarbrough

Staff Writer Imari Scarbrough may be reached at 704-694-2161, ext. 2302 or on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.