Aug. 29--Unemployment in the Philadelphia area, including parts of southern New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, rose to 5.3 percent in June, up from 4.4 percent in June 2007, the U.S. Labor Department said.

Chester County has the lowest rate -- 4.0 percent, followed by Montgomery County at 4.4 percent. Philadelphia County has the highest rate 7.2 percent, topping the next highest, Salem County, at 6.0 percent.

Cecil County, Maryland, had the biggest increase year-over-year, from 3.4 percent in June 2007 to 4.8 percent last June.

The report listed comparisons from June 2002, a month that followed the last recession. Current unemployment rates are higher in Salem County and New Castle County, which is now at 4.5 percent.

The U.S. unemployment rate in June was 5.7 percent, down from 6 percent in June 2002, but up from 4.7 percent in June 2007.

Contact staff writer Jane M. Von Bergen at 215-854-2769 or jvonbergen@phillynews.com.

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