AUGUSTA – Maine’s unemployment rate rose by two-tenths of a percentage point in December, after a trend that also saw the nation’s jobless rate rise.

Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said December’s rate was 5.1 percent, up from 4.9 percent in November.

Between November and December, the national unemployment rate rose from 4.7 percent to 5 percent.

One bright spot in the monthly report is that the number of working Mainers increased. The Labor Department said that is largely because of an increase of 700 jobs in the food and lodging industry.

The increased demand for those services was likely driven by the best conditions in years for skiing and other winter sports.