Florida unemployment remains at 10.7 percent in August

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida labor officials say last month's unemployment rate remains at 10.7 percent for the third straight month.

Florida's unemployment remains well above the national average of 9.1 percent in August.

In South Florida Broward, Palm Beach, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie Counties recorded decreases in the jobless rate. However, all the counties except Broward have double-digit rates of unemployment.

After improving for five consecutive months earlier this year, the unemployment rate has now remained the same since June in Florida and nearly a million workers remain jobless in the state.

Hendry County in southwest Florida had the highest unemployment with 17.9 percent of its workforce idled, while Monroe County reported the lowest at 6.7 percent.

The wptv webteam contributed to this report.