Scotland County saw its unemployment rate dip slightly in August from the previous month.

But the state Department of Commerce said Scotland retained its title as the county with the highest unemployment rate in the state.

According to a report released late last week, Scotland County’s August employment rate was 17.2 percent, down 0.5 of a percentage point from the previous month. The county unemployment rate for August 2011 was 18.1 percent.

The report said that 2,198 people were looking for work in August. The total labor force was 12,796.

The lower rate here mirrored much of the state. According to the report, unemployment rates decreased in 72 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in August, increased in 18 and were unchanged in 10.

The state unemployment rate was 9.7 percent.

The report said that the number of workers employed decreased in August by 29,377 to 4,219,378, while those unemployed fell 12,777 to 451,806. Since August 2011, the number of workers unemployed decreased 51,092, while those employed increased 52,752.

The jobless rate for those counties surrounding Scotland: Moore in August was 9 percent, unchanged from the previous month;Hoke in August was 10 percent unchanged from July; Cumberland at 11.4 percent up from 10. 6 percent in July; Richmond at 12.7 percent down slightly from 12.8 percent; and Robeson was 13.6 percent, down from 13.9 percent in July.

Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in August at 4.7 percent.