Scotland County's unemployment rate fell .08 points to 16.6 percent for the month of March, according to a report released by the state Employment Security Commission on Friday.

While Scotland's rate dropped, so did the rate of all other counties, edging Scotland back up to the number two spot in the state for unemployment. Graham County has the highest rate at 17.2 percent. Orange County had the lowest rate at 6.4 percent.

Statewide, the rate dropped 0.9 points to 11.8 percent.

"News that all North Carolina counties experienced a decrease in the local unemployment rate is certainly welcome, but we still have challenges ahead of us," ESC Chairman Lynn Holmes said. "With initiatives like Reemployment Services and the Reemployment Eligibility Assessment, the ESC is focusing even more resources to help our unemployed customers get back into jobs."

Among neighboring counties, Moore saw the largest drop in unemployment with a 1.2 point rate decline to 9.9 percent Next was Robeson, which dropped 0.8 points to 12 percent, Richmond fell 0.7 points to 13.8 and Hoke declined 0.5 points to 8.5 percent.

The Tar Heel state saw much larger rate drops than the Palmetto State.

South Carolina's unemployment rate fell 0.2 to 12.2 percent for the month of March. Marlboro County's rate declined 4.2 points to 18.2 percent. Marlboro ranks fifth in the state; the county ranked second in February.