May Unemployment Rate Up in Medfield

The unemployment rate in Medfield increased from April's 5.2 percent to last month's 5.3 percent, but is down from May 2010's 6.7 percent., according to the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The state rate 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.
• Easton saw its unemployment rate decline slightly, from 6.2 percent to 6.1 percent. In May 2010, the rate was 7.3 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.
• Wrentham had its unemployment rate drop from 7.1 percent in April to 6.5 percent in May, dropping from 8 percent in May 2010. The rate, though, is not seasonally adjusted.
• 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.