The unemployment rate in Dallas County and the state of Alabama increased during the month of December.

The state’s rate went up from 5.9 percent in November to 6.2 percent in December, and Dallas County’s rate went up to 9.2 percent, back to where it was in October.

Every county in Alabama with the exception of one had an increase. Coosa county held steady at 6.4 percent.

Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced the numbers Friday.

“Our unemployment rate rose in December because the labor force grew by nearly 9,000 in one month,” he said. “This represents the largest labor force Alabama has seen in more than five years and indicates confidence in the job market.”

The state unemployment rate for December 2015 was 6.3 percent, and Dallas County’s was 9 percent, down two tenths of a point compared to 2016.

The number of people unemployed in Dallas County during December increased from 1,340 to 1,417, which is up from 2015’s 1,367.

More than 14,000 people in Dallas County were working, compared to 13,892 in December 2015.

Washington said December was the biggest month of the year for 2016 for the work force.

“We also surpassed last month’s employment numbers, making December the month to beat,” he said. “More people were working in December than at any time during 2016. We actually haven’t seen this many people working since April 2008.”

Dallas County is among 15 other counties in the state with an unemployment rate above 7.5 percent. It ranks sixth in the state for highest unemployment rate. Wilcox has the highest rate in the state at 15.6 percent.

Shelby County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state.