Unemployment Down in Easton

The unemployment rate in Easton declined slightly in the month of May, from 6.2 percent to 6.1 percent. Unemployment has also dropped significantly since this time last year.In May 2010, the rate was 7.3 percent., according to the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The state rate also fell in May, from 7.8 percent in April to 7.6 percent last month. This, according to the state, is the lowest rate since February 2009 and substantially under the U.S. rate of 9.1 percent.

The unemployment rates for area towns follow:

• Dover's unemployment rate fell from 4.8 percent in April to 4.5 percent in May. The town's rate in May 2010 was 4.8 percent.
• The unemployment rate in Foxborough increased slightly, from 6.5 percent to 6.6 percent, but is still down from last May's 7.5 percent.
• Mansfield had its unemployment rate climb from 6.3 percent to 6.5 percent. The May 2010 rate was 6.6 percent.
• Medfield's unemployment rate went up from April's 5.2 percent to last month's 5.3 percent, but is down from May 2010's 6.7 percent.
• Norfolk saw its rate fall from 6.9 percent in April to 6.3 percent in May. Last year's May rate was 7.8 percent.
• Norton's unemployment rate was steady at 7 percent for both April and May. May 2010's rate was 8.7 percent.
• Norwood saw its unemployment rate fall slightly, from 6.5 percent to 6.4 percent. The May 2010 rate was 7.4 percent.
• Plainville's unemployment rate increased from April to May, from 8.8 percent to 9.3 percent, but is still down from May 2010's 10.1 percent.
• Sharon saw its unemployment rate increase a bit, from 5.4 percent in April to 5.9 percent in May. The May 2010 rate was 6.1 percent.
• Stoughton's unemployment rate climbed from 6.8 percent in April to 6.9 percent last month. May 2010's number was 8.3 percent.
• The unemployment rate in Wrentham dropped from 7.1 percent in April to 6.5 percent in May. The data also showed a year-over-year drop in the rate, from 8 percent last May.