The May unemployment rate crept to 7.8 percent in DeKalb County, up slightly from the April rate of 7.5 percent.The rate is still well below May 2011 numbers, which were reported at 10.3 percent.A total of 9,160 DeKalb countians were employed in May, and 780 were out of work.The local labor force for May was at 9,930.The local unemployment rate for May was third lowest of the 14 counties in the Upper Cumberland region, coming in just behind Smith County, with a 7.0 percent rate, and Cannon, with a rate of 7.7 percent.Picket County reported a rate of 12.3 percent, while White County had an 11.2 percent rate.Van Buren County’s rate was 11.0 percent for May, Clay had a 9.5 percent rate, and Cumberland reported 8.9 percent unemployment.Warren County had a rate of 8.9 percent for the month, while Fentress and Jackson both reported an 8.7 percent rate.Overton County’s May rate was at 8.3 percent, while both Macon and Putnam ended May with a rate of 7.9 percent.Non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for May show the rate decreased in three counties, increased in 87 counties, and remained the same in five counties.The state unemployment rate for May took a slight upturn to 7.9 percent, up from the revised April rate of 7.7 percent.The national unemployment rate for May was 8.2 percent, up 0.1 percentage point from April.Knox County had the state's lowest major metropolitan rate in May with 6.0 percent, up from 5.8 percent in April.Davidson County was at 6.7 percent, up from 6.5 percent from April.Hamilton County’s rate was at 7.4 percent for May, up from 7.0 percent, and Shelby County was at 8.8 percent, up from the April rate of 8.3 percent.