Mississippi’s unemployment rate stood at 9.5 percent in October, matching the national figure, according to the state Department of Employment Security.

The state jobless rate was 8.9 percent in September. A year ago, the rate was 6.9 percent.

Unemployment rates ranged from a high of 19 percent in Clay County to 6.3 percent in Rankin County. MDES officials say Rankin County has had the state’s lowest unemployment rate since April.

MDES says October unemployment increased in all but five counties.

On the Net:

Department of Employment Security, http://www.mdes.ms.gov