Clinton County’s unemployment rate fell a full percentage point from February to March of this year, but figures still show that the local jobless rate is well above the double-digit mark.

According to the latest figures released from the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, Clinton County had an 11 percent unemployment rate for March, 2011.

That compares with 12 percent that was tabulated for Clinton County the previous month, February, 2011.

Locally, figures show that 4,987 residents are in the civilian labor force, with 4,436 being employed in March, leaving 551 in the ranks of unemployed.

The most recent jobless rate of 11.0 percent for Clinton County, compares with 10.3 percent that was listed for a year ago, March, 2010.

The 10 county Lake Cumberland Region finished March with an 11.6 percent unemployment rate, also a full percentage point less than the 12.6 percent from February. Still, the region shows an increase from figures of a year ago, when the region had a jobless rate of 10.3 percent.

Other area jobless rates for nearby counties in March, 2011, and the respective unemployment percentage rates, were: Cumberland (12.6), Adair (11.6), Pulaski (11.3), Russell (11.5), and Wayne (13.5) .

Unemployment rates fell in 108 Kentucky counties between March 2010 and March 2011, while 12 county rates increased, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Fayette and Woodford counties recorded the lowest jobless rates in the Commonwealth at 7.9 percent each. They were followed by Webster County, 8.1 percent; Oldham County, 8.3 percent; Ohio County, 8.5 percent; Madison and Union counties, 8.6 percent each; and Boone, Caldwell, Calloway, Hancock and Shelby counties, 8.7 percent each.

Menifee and Jackson counties recorded the state’s highest unemployment rates — 18.5 percent each. They were followed by Magoffin County, 18.4 percent; Lewis County, 15.4 percent; Metcalfe County, 15.2 percent; Clay and McCreary counties, 15.1 percent each; Lincoln County, 14.8 percent; Bath County, 14.4 percent; and Bell County, 14.1 percent.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted to allow for comparisons between United States, state and county figures.

Learn more about the Office of Employment and Training at www.workforce.ky.gov.