New unemployment figures released Tuesday show most of the counties surrounding and including Ross to be close to the statewide average. The ODJFS numbers show the Ross and Pickaway County sharing a rate of 4.4 percent, the lowest among area counties. Fayette County and Hocking each stand at 4.6 percent, Highland at 5.1 percent, Vinton and Jackson Counties are at 5.4 percent unemployment, with Pike County at 5.7 percent. The highest unemplyment rate in the state is 7.7 percent in Erie County. Overall, the Ohio unemployment rate went up to 5.0 percent in May from 4.7 percent in April.