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.