The unemployment rate in St. Lawrence County stood at 12.1 percent in January, up nearly two points just since December 2010, when the figure stood at 10.3 percent, while a year before, in January 2010, the rate was 12.0 percent, according to the state Department of Labor.

In comparison, Jefferson County, to our west, the rate jumped to 11.7 percent in January from 10.3 percent in December 2010. It stood at 11.3 percent in January 2010.

To our east, in Franklin County, unemployment was at 10.4 percent in January, the same rate as in January 2010, but up from the 9 percent rate reported in December 2010.

Statewide, the rate stood at 9 percent, up from 8 percent in December 2010. It was 9.6 percent in January 2010.

The New York State Department of Labor, which released the figures Wednesday, said that statewide over the past year, government lost the most jobs of any sector, with losses greatest at the local level.

Construction had the second largest decline in jobs across the state, with losses concentrated in specialty trade contractors .

Manufacturing had the third greatest jobs decline, the Department of Labor said.

The figures in the report were not yet adjusted for seasonal variations.