New workers entering the local labor pool caused Mercer County's unemployment rate to rise slightly from 5.2 percent in May to 5.4 percent in June.

There were 800 new workers seeking jobs in June largely due to graduates leaving school. June's rate was on par with the same year-ago rate.

But the county continued to remain above the state rate of 4.8 percent and the national rate of 4.7 percent.

Mercer County ranked 21st in terms of the best jobless rate among the state's 43 labor market areas, tied with McKean County, Scranton-Wilks-Barre-Hazelton. The county ranked 38th of 67 Pennsylvania counties, tied with McKean and West Moreland County.

Goods-producing jobs declined by 400 from a year ago with 500 jobs being lost in manufacturing and a 100-job gain in construction and mining. Service-producing jobs were down by 400 due to local schools being closed for the summer season.

Figures show the county's civilian labor force grew from 58,500 in May to 59,300 in June while the number of unemployed climbed from 3,000 to 3,200 over the same period.

The number of employed grew from 55,500 to 56,100 from May to June.

Forest County had the highest unemployment rate in the state at 10 percent while Centre had the lowest at 2.9 percent.

Surrounding counties unemployment rates for June were:

• Butler: 4.9 percent..

• Crawford: 7.9 percent

• Venango: 5.7 percent.

• Lawrence: 5.8 percent.

  Sharon's unemployment rate was 4.7 percent.