AUGUSTA – Maine’s unemployment rate increased slightly from February to March, but still remained well below the national average, the state Department of Labor announced Friday.

“The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.7 percent for March 2005 differed little from the rate of 4.6 percent for March 2004,” Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said in a statement. “During this time, job growth kept pace with labor force growth, resulting in little change.”

The national unemployment rate was 5.2 percent for March 2005, down 0.5 percent from a year ago.

Maine’s March 2005 rate was slightly high among New England states, with Vermont, 3.4, New Hampshire, 3.7, and Rhode Island, 4.5, reporting lower numbers. Only Massachusetts, 4.9, had a higher percentage of unemployed.

Cumberland County saw the lowest state unemployment rate: just 3.9 percent. Washington County, at 10.7 percent, reported the highest level in Maine.

Between February and March of this year, the number of not-seasonally adjusted nonfarm wage and salary jobs rose by 1,700, with the largest gains in local government, construction and accommodation and food services.