The jobless rate in Montana went down again during January, the sixth month in a row the rate has declined.

Montana’s unemployment rate again dropped by 0.1 percent to 6.5 percent in January, marking six straight months of decreases. U.S. unemployment has also been receding since August, decreasing 0.2 percent to 8.3 percent in January.

But the jobless rate on the Hi-Line went up last month, as it traditionally does during January.

“Montana’s economy continues to improve with stronger and more deliberate job growth, ” said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. “We continue to have a positive outlook for 2012. ”

Here are the rates for counties along the Hi-Line:

• Blaine County has 6.5 percent of its work force jobless, an increase from 5.5 percent. A total of 172 people were out of work.

• In Chouteau, 4.9 percent of the work force was jobless, up from, 3.9 percent in December. In all, 123 people were jobless.

• Hill County had a 5.9 percent jobless rate in January, up from 5.1 percent. In all, 502 people were out of work.

• In Liberty County, 41 people were jobless, or 5.4 percent of the work force. That compares to 4.0 percent a month ago.