The rate of joblessness in St. Lawrence County jumped over 10 percent in November, and it remains the Upstate county with the highest unemployment rate, according to the New York State Department of Labor's monthly report, released this afternoon.

The rate was measured at 10.3 percent for November, a significant jump from the 9.5 percent reported for October, and well above the 9.2 percent rate reported in November 2009.

Reported rates in neighboring counties were, to the west in Jefferson County, 9.9 percent in November, more than a full percentage point above October's rate of 8.8 percent, compared with the rate of 8.7 percent in November 2009; and in Franklin County to our east, 9.0 percent in November, compared with 8.1 percent in October and the 8.3 percent rate reported in November last year.

St. Lawrence County is one of three counties upstate with unemployment rates of 10 percent or higher. The others are Oswego and Fulton counties.

As for private sector job creation, all North Country counties are listed as having the same number or fewer jobs in November this year compared with November last year.

The Labor Department says that, statewide, there was a net gain of 7,000 private sector jobs this November.