According to unemployment data released by the Department of Workforce Development Wednesday, 71 of Wisconsin's 72 counties saw increases in unemployment between January and February.
Dane County still has the lowest unemployment rate, which rose from 4.9 percent in January to 5.5 in February. Madison's unemployment rate increased from 4.4 to 5 percent, but is still the lowest in Wisconsin cities.
The city of Beloit has the state's highest unemployment rate of 16.9 percent, which has more than doubled from last year's rate of 8.1.
In terms of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, the Janesville MSA has the highest rate of 13 percent.
DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman said in a statement she hopes funds from the federal stimulus bill will help reverse this trend of rising unemployment.
Wisconsin's unemployment rate, which has remained below the national average, rose to 8.8 percent in February and is closing in on the national rate of 8.9 percent.
