St. Lawrence County’s unemployment rate dropped half a percentage point, but the county lost 500 jobs in November compared to the same month last year, according preliminary data from the state Department of Labor.

That rate was 5.6 percent last month, that’s down from 6.1 percent in November 2015.

There were 2,600 people receiving benefits in November 2016 and 2,900 the same month last year.

Despite fewer people receiving unemployment benefits, the county lost 500 jobs, with the number at 44,000 last month and 44,500 in November 2015, DOL said.

To our east in Franklin County, the unemployment rate went down to 5.3 percent last month from 5.8 percent in November 2015. There were 1,000 people on the dole in November and 1,200 the same month last year. They lost 100 jobs over the same time period, with the total at 18,900 last month and 19,000 in November 2015, according to the DOL.

To our west in Jefferson County, the unemployment rate stayed flat over November 2015 at 6.3 percent last month. The number of people receiving benefits went stayed flat at 2,900 in November 2016 and 2015. They lost 200 jobs, with 42,900 last month and 43,100 in November 2015, DOL said.