Unemployment in Warren County ticked up nearly a point in May but stayed in single digits.

The rate countywide was 8.9 percent, up from a revised 7.8 percent in April, according to figures released Wednesday by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Last month’s was the lowest jobless rate recorded locally since December 2008.

The number of people counted without a job fueled the higher rate. MDES posted 1,760 people unemployed for the month, up from 1,520 in April. The labor force grew larger in May, at 19,860, 270 more than in April.

The unemployment rate is calculated by a survey that asks how many people are looking for a job. A second survey each month asks employers how many people are on their payrolls, a measure many economists use as their top labor market indicator.

Statewide, the jobless rate stood at 8.1 percent for the month, up from 6.8 percent. Areas that showed the largest gains were in professional and business services and manufacturing.

Rankin County had the lowest rate in May, at 4.8 percent, up from 4.2. Claiborne, Sharkey and Issaquena counties also came in higher for the month. Claiborne’s was the biggest jump, to 14.1 percent from 12.2 percent in April.