(LANSING) – Jobless rates went up slightly from January to February in Southern Michigan.

According to data released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, St. Joseph County saw their unemployment rate stay at 3.9 percent from January to February.

Branch County had a minor increase in their unemployment rate, going from 4.3 percent in January to 4.4 percent in February. Cass County also had a rise in their unemployment numbers, increasing from 4.4 to 4.5 percent. Hillsdale County stayed at 5 percent unemployment from January to February.

The lowest unemployment rate in February was in Ottawa County at 3.4 percent, while the highest was in Mackinac County at 18.1 percent.

Statewide the unemployment rate rose from 5.1 percent to 5.3 percent.

Wayne Rourke, Associate Director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives says payroll jobs rose seasonally as classes resumed at area schools and universities. He says a few metro areas were impacted by layoffs or recalls in the auto sector.