Unemployment rates increased across the Raccoon River Valley last month.

According to Iowa Workforce Development, Dallas County saw a 0.3 percent increase to 2.5 percent in December.  Greene County saw a 0.2 percent increase last month to 2.3 percent and Guthrie County’s unemployment rate went up 0.7 percent to 3.3 percent to end 2016.

Compared to 2015 figures, the percentage of Dallas County residents without a job is the same in December of both years.  Greene County fared better in 2016 by 0.6 percent and Guthrie County’s rate was 0.3 percent better this past year.

The statewide unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in December, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.7 percent.