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Jobless rates up locally
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MADISON - Unemployment rates jumped in both Green and Lafayette counties in January. But they're not alone.

Jobless rates increased in all 72 Wisconsin counties during the year's first month, and in each of the state's 12 metropolitan statistical areas.

Green County's unemployment rate jumped to 8.1 percent in January, according to the state's Department of Workforce Development. It was 5.5 percent in December. In January 2008, the unemployment rate was 5.0 percent.

Lafayette County saw its jobless rate jump from 4.7 percent to 7.3 percent. It was 4.7 percent a year ago.

The statewide unemployment rate is 7.6 percent.

Unemployment hit double digits in six Wisconsin cities in January.

Only Beloit and Racine had higher than 10 percent unemployment the previous month.

But the state Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday that four other cities have now crossed that threshold as well. They are Sheboygan at 10 percent, West Bend and Green Bay at 10.3 percent each and Janesville at 13.1 percent.

Beloit and Racine continued to have the highest unemployment rates of the state's cities. Beloit's was 15.1 percent, and Racine's was 13.5 percent.

The Janesville area, including communities next to the city, had the highest metropolitan area unemployment rate at 11.6 percent.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report.