While monthly unemployment rates are creeping upward in Kingfisher and surrounding counties from April lows, June numbers remain lower than one year ago.

According to statistics released this week by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, unemployment rates in June were lower than June 2018 in 70 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties.

Both at 2.2% unemployment, Kingfisher and Blaine counties tied for fifth lowest in the state in June.

Both counties also were below their June 2018 rates of 2.4% for Kingfisher and 2.5% for Blaine.

But numbers in both counties are creeping slightly upward. Kingfisher posted a 1.6% rate in April and Blaine 1.8%, followed by 2% and 1.8% respectively in May.

Out of a statistical June labor force of 9,257 workers in Kingfisher County, 9,055 were reported to be employed. In Blaine County, 4,626 were reported employed out of a labor force of 4,731.

Latimer and McIntosh counties posted the state’s highest county unemployment rate of 6.2%.

McCurtain County had the second highest rate for the month at 5.8%.

Alfalfa County had the lowest rate of 1.9%in June.

Statistics for other counties neighboring Kingfisher included:

Canadian – 3% June (71,183 out of a total workforce of 73,385); 2.7% May; 2.4% April; 3.1% June 2018.

Garfield – 3.1% June (26,171 out of 27,022); 2.9% May; 2.6% April; 3.3% June 2018.

Logan – 3.1% June (21,605 out of 22,289); 2.8% May; 2.4% April; 3.4% June 2018.