Gulf Coast jobless: 247,474

Statewide, those without jobs continue to wait for hiring to pick back up. And it's no different along Florida's Gulf Coast, where nearly a quarter of a million people are officially unemployed.

Combined, the eight counties within the Business Review's coverage area — Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota — are home to approximately 247,474 unemployed, according to the latest data from the Agency for Workforce Innovation.

All eight counties have a jobless rate that is higher than the state's, although Pinellas is the closest (11.6%). Lee County has the highest rate (13.0%). Additionally, all eight saw unemployment rates increase in June relative to May.

The three northernmost counties — Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas — actually saw increases in net jobs. But simultaneous increases in the sizes of their labor forces negated those gains. The other five counties saw decreases in both metrics.

In June 2009, the region was home to 233,682 unemployed, meaning that number has increased 6% over the past 12 months.