RALEIGH — Bladen County saw its unemployment numbers for the month of May jump significantly upward to 8.2 percent. That follows a decline in April to 7.6 percent.

Neighboring counties also reported increases in their unemployment figures as well. Columbus County reported an unemployment rate of 7.5 percent in May after a decrease to 6.7 percent in April. Robeson County reported an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent in May after a decrease to 8.0 percent in April. Scotland County was still reporting an unemployment rate of 11.2 percent in May after dropping only slightly in April to 10.0 percent.

Bladen County claimed a labor force of 14,342 in May and identified 1,182 individuals as unemployed. The county reported an unemployment rate of 9.3 percent in May 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 1.1 percent and ranked 88th in unemployment.

Columbus County claimed a labor force of 23,169 and identified 1,739 individuals as unemployed for the month of May. The county reported an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent in May 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 0.7 percent and ranked 77th in unemployment.

Robeson County claimed a labor force of 51,074 and identified 4,456 individuals as unemployed in May. The county reported an unemployment rate of 9.5 in May 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 0.8 percent and ranked 93rd in unemployment.

Scotland County claimed a labor force of 12,012 and identified 1,345 individuals as unemployed. The county reported an unemployment rate of 12.3 percent in May 2014 for an over-the-year decrease of 1.1 percent and ranked 99th in unemployment.

In May, 6 counties reported an unemployment below 5 percent while 91 counties reported an unemployment rate between 5 and 10 percent and 3 counties reported an unemployment rate above 10 percent.

In April, 30 counties reported an unemployment below 5 percent while 69 counties reported an unemployment rate between 5 and 10 percent and 1 county reported an unemployment rate above 10 percent.

The state of North Carolina reported a statewide unemployment rate of 5.7 percent for the month of May, just slightly higher than the national unemployment rate of 5.5 percent for May.

The state of North Carolina reported a statewide unemployment rate of 5.5 percent for the month of April, just slightly higher than the national unemployment rate of 5.4 percent for April.

According to the North Carolina Labor Market Conditions, “Regular Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance totaled 19,822 in May, increasing 1,438 from April.”

According to the release, for the period ending May 2015, $348,401,874 was paid in the unemployment program. The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance was $491,274,549 and the state reserve fund balance was $128,643,099.

—Erin Smith can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.