SALISBURY — The unemployment rate has increased after months of declining in Rowan County.

For October, the unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, compared to 3 percent in September. The rate, however, is more than a percentage point lower than in October 2017.

Statewide, the unemployment rate is 3.4 percent, increasing from 3.1 percent in September. The unemployment rate was 4.3 percent last year.

Cabarrus County has a 3.1 percent unemployment rate, increasing 0.3 percent from September and 0.8 percent from 2017.

Other neighboring counties’ unemployment rates are:

• Davidson is 3.2 percent, compared to 2.9 percent in September and 4.1 percent in October of last year.

• Davie had a rise of 0.4 percent in the past month for a rate of 3 percent. Last year, the rate was 3.8 percent.

• Iredell increased to 3 percent from 2.7 percent in September and 4 percent in 2017.

• Stanly was at 3.1 percent, compared to 2.8 percent in September and 3.9 in October 2017.

The unemployment rate rose in all 100 counties of the state in October.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce recommends comparing year-over-year changes due to seasonal patterns.