POINT PLEASANT — Unemployment rates for Mason, Gallia and Meigs counties increased in June, according to reports released by WorkForce West Virginia and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Mason County’s unemployment rate jumped from 13.4 percent in May to 13.7 percent in June, an increase of 0.3 percent. WorkForce West Virginia estimates that 1,370 members of Mason County’s labor force of 9,970 residents are currently out of work.

According to WorkForce West Virginia, Mason County currently has the second highest unemployement rate in the Mountain State. Clay County has the highest at 13.8 percent. Hancock County’s current jobless rate is 13 percent, third highest in the state.

Monongalia County enjoys the lowest jobless rate in West Virginia at 5.9 percent.

West Virginia’s unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percent in June to 8.6 percent. It stood at 8.5 percent in May.

ODJFS reported that joblessness in Gallia County jumped 0.4 percent in June to 10.5 percent. The May rate was 10.1 percent. The June report indicated that about 1,500 Gallia County residents are currently out of work. The total estimated labor force is 14,300.

Meigs County also exprienced a 0.4 percent increase in its jobless rate in June. The current unemployment figure is 15 percent, up from 14.6 percent in May. ODJFS estimates indicate that 1,500 residents out of Meigs County’s labor force of 9,500 residents are currently without jobs.

Overall, Ohio’s unemployment rate dropped slightly in June to 10.5 percent. It was 10.7 percent in May.

Geauga County reported the lowest unemployment rate in Ohio at 7.3 percent for June. Clinton County had the highest rate at 16.8 percent.

Following is a list of counties neighboring Mason with the June and May unemployment figures:

• Cabell — June, 7.5 percent; May, 7.7 percent

• Calhoun — June, 12.4 percent; May, 13.3 percent

• Clay — June, 13.8 percent; May, 13.6 percent

• Jackson — June, 11.8 percent; May, 11.9 percent

• Kanawha — June, 7.4 percent; May, 7.4 percent

• Pleasants — June, 10.4 percent; May, 11.1 percent

• Putnam — June, 7.6 percent; May, 7.4 percent

• Ritchie — June, 9.2 percent; May, 9.2 percent

• Roane — June, 12.8 percent; May, 13.3 percent

• Wirt — June, 11.6 percent; May, 11.8 percent

• Wood — June, 9.4 percent; May, 9.3 percent

Following is a list of counties neighboring Gallia and Meigs with the June and May unemployment figures:

• Adams — June, 14.3 percent; May, 13.6 percent

• Athens — June, 9.8 percent; May, 9.1 percent

• Hocking — June, 11 percent; May, 11.1 percent

• Jackson — June, 11.3 percent; May, 10.8 percent

• Lawrence — June, 8.8 percent; May, 8 percent

• Morgan — June, 14.1 percent; May, 13.9 percent

• Perry — June, 12.6 percent; May, 12.7 percent

• Pike — June, 14.5 percent; May, 14.2 percent

• Ross — June 11.8 percent; May, 11.5 percent

• Scioto — June, 13.4 percent; May, 12.7 percent

• Vinton — June, 12.7 percent; May, 12.6 percent

• Washington — June, 8.9 percent; May, 8.5 percent

The U.S. unemployment rate for June was 9.5 percent, down from 9.7 percent in May.

(On the Internet: WorkForce West Virginia, www.workforcewv.org; Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services, jfs.ohio.gov.)