The unemployment rate in Mason County rose again in February. According to preliminary numbers from the State Employment Security Department, the County’s unemployment rate last month was 11.7%. That’s up a half of a percentage point from January’s revised rate of 11.2% but still not as high as February 2011’s 13% unemployment rate. Other areas in the region saw similar increases. The unemployment rate in Thurston County went up a half percent to 8.5%. Kitsap County’s February unemployment rate was up four-tenths of a percent to 8.2%. Jefferson County saw an increase of three-tenths of a percent to 10.7%. The February unemployment rate in Pierce County was 9.8%, up a half percent. Grays Harbor’s unemployment rate last month went up four-tenths of a percent to 13.9%. Lewis County has an unemployment rate also at 13.9%, up three-tenths from January.