ANDERSON COUNTY — Recently released employment figures showed that the unemployment rate worsened in Anderson County, as the county shed about 150 jobs and the jobless rate rose from 10.6 to 11 percent.

The labor force decreased from 83,705 to 83,555. The county’s 11 percent unemployment rate is higher than that of Pickens County, 9.4 percent; and Greenville County, 9.3 percent.

Anderson County’s unemployment rate is considerably lower this past month than in May 2009, when the unemployment rate was 12.3 percent. But a lower unemployment rate doesn’t necessarily mean the economy is better — some people could have given up looking for a job while others are working only part-time but need a full-time job.

South Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped from 11.5 percent in April to 11 percent in May. But Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers showed that the state’s labor force declined 7,686 to 2,158,803 in May.

“We are encouraged by the trends of the last few months while at the same time cautious since state and local budgets face serious shortfalls and the national economy remains fragile,” said S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Director John Finan.

South Carolina’s unemployment rate is the seventh-worst in the nation, followed only by Nevada, 14; Michigan, 13.6; California, 12.4; Rhode Island, 12.3; Florida, 11.7; and Mississippi, 11.4.

The Upstate has received some good news in recent weeks, with the promise of new jobs through Allegro in Pickens County and First Quality in Anderson County. First Quality officials say they expect to invest about $1 billion in Anderson County and add about 1,000 jobs over the next few years.