(LANSING) – Unemployment rates increased from November to December in Southern Michigan .

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says St. Joseph County saw their unemployment go up from 4.6% to an even 5%.

The largest increase in the area was in Cass County, which went from 4.7% to 5.3%.

Branch County’s unemployment rate went from 4.3% to 4.7% and Hillsdale County rose from 5% to 5.5%.

Statewide the unemployment rate rose from 4.8% to 5%.

According to the data, industries with the largest over the month employment reductions included Construction (-9,000), Professional and Business Services (-6,000) and Government (-5,000).

The lowest unemployment rate in Michigan during December was Livingston County at 3.3%. The highest unemployment rate was Mackinac County at 17.9%.