By G. SCOTT THOMAS
Business First

Four area counties have unemployment rates in the double digits.

Niagara County's jobless rate soared to 11.5 percent in February. That's the highest figure for any Western New York county, according to data released Thursday by the New York State Labor Department.

Also above the 10 percent mark are Wyoming County, at 11.4 percent, Orleans County, at 11.0 percent, and Allegany County, at 10.1 percent.

Four area cities also have unemployment rates above 10 percent: Niagara Falls (13.4 percent), Lockport (12.8 percent), Jamestown (11.1 percent) and Buffalo (10.5 percent).

The highest jobless rate in any area county a year ago was 7.8 percent, and the highest in any city 9.0 percent.

The latest unemployment rates for all eight counties in the region:

• Allegany County, 10.1 percent

• Cattaraugus County, 9.9 percent

• Chautauqua County, 9.1 percent

• Erie County, 9.1 percent

• Genesee County, 9.5 percent

• Niagara County, 11.5 percent

• Orleans County, 11.0 percent

• Wyoming County, 11.4 percent

The current jobless rates for 13 selected cities and towns:

• Amherst (town), 6.8 percent

• Buffalo (city), 10.5 percent

• Cheektowaga (town), 9.5 percent

• Clarence (town), 7.6 percent

• Hamburg (town), 8.8 percent

• Jamestown (city), 11.1 percent

• Lancaster (town), 8.8 percent

• Lockport (city), 12.8 percent

• Niagara Falls (city), 13.4 percent

• North Tonawanda (city), 9.9 percent

• Orchard Park (town), 6.7 percent

• Tonawanda (town), 8.7 percent

• West Seneca (town), 8.7 percent