St. Lawrence County’s unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of a percent but the county lost 300 jobs in October compared to the same month last year, according preliminary data from the state Department of Labor.

That rate was 5.3 percent last month, down from 5.6 percent in October 2015.

There were 2,500 people receiving benefits in October 2016 and 2,700 the same month last year.

Despite fewer people receiving unemployment benefits, the county lost 300 jobs, with the number at 44,600 last month and 44,900 in August 2015, DOL said.

To our east in Franklin County, the unemployment rate went down to 5.1 percent last month from 5.4 percent in August 2015. There were 1,000 people on the dole in October and 1,100 the same month last year. They lost 100 jobs over the same time period, with the total at 19,200 last month and 19,300 in October 2015, according to the DOL.

To our west in Jefferson County, the unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent last month from, that’s up from 5.6 percent the same month last year. The number of people receiving benefits went stayed flat at 2,600 in October 2016 and 2015. They gained 300 jobs, with 43,800 last month and 43,500 in October 2015, DOL said.