LANSING — Michigan’s unemployment rate has risen higher to 10.5% for the month of June, with a total of 8,000 more unemployed people compared to the month of May. This marks the fourth consecutive month in a row where the unemployment rate has risen.

In total, 496,000 people are left unemployed and looking for jobs in the state. Job creation, which has stalled greatly in 2011, is a major contributor to the rising rates. 

Earlier this year, the unemployment rate was inching downward as people found jobs in high tech business services, healthcare, and manufacturing. 

The number of hours worked and payroll earnings have also fallen. The rate of unemployment and under-employment stands at 19.6 percent. That number counts part-timers who would like to work full-time and former job seekers who got discouraged and quit looking.