Alabama's unemployment rate climbed in October to 5.6 percent. That's the highest rate in nearly five years, but it's better than any of Alabama's neighboring states.

State Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees said Friday the state last recorded a 5.6 percent rate in November 2003.

The state's jobless rate was up from 5.3 percent in September, and it represented 120,590 Alabamians looking for work.

“Alabama is not immune to the economic challenges facing our region and our nation, but we have been weathering this economic storm better than many states,” said G Bob Riley.

The national unemployment rate also rose in October to 6.5 percent.

Surtees said Alabama is following the national unemployment trend, but it is doing better than many other states in the region because of new jobs recruited in recent years. Those include many auto and aerospace positions.