Austin’s unemployment numbers stayed the same last month, according to the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The city’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 5.2 percent in July, the same as the previous month and slightly higher than the 4.8 percent unemployment in May. That means about 729 residents are looking for jobs, according to DEED. Unemployment is still lower than last year, as Austin had 5.7 percent unemployment in July 2011.

Austin’s unemployment trends mirror Mower County, as the county only had a 5 percent non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in July, the same as it was in June, and slightly up from 4.5 percent unemployment in May. Mower County is looking good compared to last year, as the county unemployment rate was 5.6 percent for July 2011.

Austin’s unemployment is still lower than Albert Lea’s, which had 6.3 percent non-seasonally adjusted unemployment in July, though only about 617 people in Albert Lea are looking for work.

Minnesota’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment is higher than Austin as well, as the state posted 5.9 percent unemployment in July. While unemployment numbers are better than they were at the beginning of the year, Austin still has a ways to go before matching the 4 to 4.5 percent unemployment rate average before the recession.