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Unemployment in the Greensboro-High Point metropolitan area increased to 8.6 percent in December from 8.1 percent in November, the N.C. Employment Security Commission reported today.

The figures in the report are not seasonally adjusted to reflect routine layoffs.

Rockingham County's rate hit 10.1 percent for the month, up from 9.6 percent.

As the recession deepened, three segments of the Greensboro-High Point region's economy saw the most job losses: manufacturing, professional and business services and government.

Government, usually among growth sectors, lost 400 jobs, according to the ESC.

Compared with December a year ago, Greensboro-High Point lost 2,700 manufacturing jobs - the largest loss for any sector.

The unemployment rate in the Triad metro area increased to 8.5 percent in December from 8 percent.

Statewide, only one county, Orange, had an unemployment rate below 5 percent. Sixty-five counties had rates between 5 percent and 10 percent and 34 counties had rates above 10 percent.

"Every corner of North Carolina is feeling the effects of our national economy. Layoffs and cutbacks have taken a toll on many of our sectors, including retail during the holiday season, professional and business services, along with construction and manufacturing," said ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. in a news release.

The rates in the local metro areas included:

• Greensboro/High Point was 8.6 percent in December, up from 8.1 percent in November.
• Burlington was 9.4 percent in December, up from 8.5 percent.
• Winston-Salem was 7.6 percent in December, up from 7.2 percent.

The rates in local counties include:

• Guilford - 8.3 in December, up from 7.7 in November.
• Alamance - 9.4 in December, up from 8.5 in November.
• Davidson - 9.7 in December, up from 9.2 in November.
• Forsyth - 7.4 in December, up from 7.1 in November.
• Randolph - 8.9 in December, up from 8.3 in November.
• Rockingham - 10.1 in December, up from 9.6 in November.