BAY MINETTE, Ala. – Alabama’s April 2011 unemployment rate is 9.3 percent, up slightly from March’s rate of 9.2 percent, according to the state Department of Industrial Relations.

Baldwin County ranked 55 (highest to lowest) among the state’s 67 counties at 8.3 percent. Mobile County was 33th with a 10.2 percent rate.

The 2010 highest to lowest ranking placed Baldwin County at 50 with an 8.9 percent rate, and Mobile at 35, with 10.2 percent unemployed.

The comparable rate for one year ago was 9.8 percent, according to the report. April’s rate represents 199,950 unemployed, compared to 195,210 in March and 209,465 in April 2010.

The national unemployment rate for April was 9. percent, up from 8.8 percent in March.

The amount of benefits payments made in April was $28 million, compared to $38.7 million in April 2010, $55.1million in April 2009, and $23.9 million in April 2008.

The number of weeks claimed in April was 155,407, compared to 206,689 in April 2010 and 286,922 in April 2009. The number of weeks compensated was 138,274 in April, compared to 188,376 in April 2010 and 269,714 in April 2009.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates were Shelby County at 6.5 percent, Coffee County at 7 percent, and Pike County at 7.2 percent.

Counties with the highest unemployment rates were Wilcox County at 20.9 percent, Perry County at 16.2 percent, and Clarke County at 16.1 percent.

The April 27 storms were not reflected in this unemployment rate. They will be reflected in May’s rate, which is scheduled to be released June 17.