St. Lawrence County’s unemployment rate dropped a three-tenths of a percent and the county gained 100 jobs in August compared to the same month last year, according preliminary data from the state Department of Labor.

St. Lawrence County is tied with Oswego County for the highest jobless rate in the state outside of New York City.

That rate was 5.7 percent last month, down from 6.4 percent in August 2015. There were 2,600 people receiving benefits in August and 2,900 the same month last year. The county gained 100 jobs, with the number at 42,800 last month and 42,700 in August 2015, DOL said.

To our east in Franklin County, the unemployment rate went down to 4.9 percent last month from 5.6 percent in August 2015. There were 1,000 people on the dole in August and 1,200 the same month last year. They lost 100 jobs over the same time period, with the total at 19,400 last month and 19,500 in August 2015, according to the DOL.

To our west in Jefferson County, the unemployment rate dropped to 5.1 percent last month from 5.6 percent the same month last year. The number of people receiving benefits went to 2,400 in August from 2,700 the same month last year. They gained 500 jobs, with 45,900 last month and 45,400 in August 2015, DOL said.