Unemployment rates rise slightly across tri-city region

The unemployment rates throughout the tri-city area rose in January fueled by job losses in retail, motion picture/sound recording and business services.

The jobless rates in Glendale and Burbank each saw a 0.6% increase, climbing to 9.5% and 8.9%, respectively, according to statistics released Friday by the California Employment Development Department.

In Pasadena, the unemployment rate rose 0.5% to 8.3%.

The latest figures were still well below the statewide unemployment rate of 9.8%, which put the Golden State in a tie with Rhode Island for the worst unemployment in the U.S., the L.A. Times reported. On the other end of the spectrum, North Dakota had the lowest jobless rate, 3.3%.

The statewide figure, though, while flat for a second straight month, was still a significant improvement from the 11% rate reported in January 2012.

The unemployment rate in the La Crescenta Montrose area increased 0.4% to 5.4%, while in La Cañada Flintridge, the rate edged up slightly 0.3% to 4.2%.

San Marino and South Pasadena each reported their jobless rates rising by 0.4%, coming in at 5% and 5.4%, respectively.

The L.A. Times contributed to this report.

-- Mark Kellam, Times Community News

Follow Mark Kellam on Twitter: @LAMarkKellam