May unemployment rates improved in four of five area northern Wisconsin counties, but still stood about twice as high as a year ago.

Vilas County's May jobless rate was 9 percent, far better than the 12.2 percent in April. A year ago, the rate was 5 percent, according to the latest figures from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Summer jobs also brightened the economic picture in Oneida County, where the rate improved from 10.8 percent to 8.8 percent. A year ago it was 4.9 percent.

Iron County's jobless rate of 12.8 percent is much higher than the 7.1 percent recorded a year ago, but better than the 14 percent in April.