AUSTIN (AP) — Texas’ unemployment rate increased to 5.6 percent in October, up half a percentage point from the previous month because of Hurricane Ike and national economic trends, the Texas Workforce Commission said Friday.

“While Texas still has nearly a 1 percent lower unemployment rate than the nation, I would expect unemployment rates in Texas to continue to track the national trend upward in the months ahead,” said commission chairman Tom Pauken.

The state had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 5.1 percent in September and 4.3 percent in October 2007.

In Denton County, more than 17,000 people were unemployed, representing 5.1 percent of the eligible workforce. That is up from 4.8 percent in September and up from 3.7 percent in October 2007.

In Denton, unemployment was reported at 4.7 percent, compared with 4.4 percent in September and 3.5 percent in October 2007.

The city and county rates are not seasonally adjusted.

Nearly half of the increase in the number of unemployed reported statewide for October came in the Houston and Beaumont metropolitan areas, regions hit hard by Hurricane Ike.

Beaumont had the highest unemployment rate for the month at 8.2 percent. Midland was lowest at 3.1 percent.

The state’s professional and business services sector grew by 12,200 jobs in October. Education and health services grew by 3,700 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities increased by 2,700 jobs; and natural resources and mining added 1,600 jobs, according to the commission.

The Denton Record-Chronicle contributed to this report.