ATLANTA — Unemployment rates in both metro Savannah and the coastal Georgia region dropped in November, according to a recent report from the state Department of Labor.
Metro Savannah’s unemployment rate decreased to 6.8 percent in November, down seven-tenths of a percentage point from 7.5 percent in October. This is the lowest the rate has been since it was 6.8 percent in December 2008. The rate was 7.6 percent in November a year ago.
The unemployment rate in the coastal Georgia region decreased to 7.4 percent in November, down nine-tenths of a percentage point from 8.3 percent in October. The rate was 8.2 percent in November a year ago.
The rate in metro Savannah declined primarily because the number of jobs increased and the number of unemployment insurance claims were down, while the rate in the coastal region dropped primarily because the number of unemployment insurance claims was down and the number of unemployed people fell.
Metro Savannah employers added 500 jobs in November, increasing the number of jobs to  160,000, up by 0.3 percent, from 159,500 in October. Most of the new jobs were added in trade, transportation and warehousing.
Over the year, jobs were up by 400, or 0.3 percent, from 159,600 in November 2012. Most of the increase came in retail trade, leisure and hospitality, and education and health care.  
The number of new layoffs, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, decreased to 1,157, down by 88, or 7.1 percent, from 1,245 in October. Claims declined in several sectors, including trade, transportation and warehousing, along with health care and social assistance. There were 1,397 claims in November 2012.
The number of unemployed people in Savannah decreased to 12,059, down by 1,246 from 13,305 in October. There were 13,923 unemployed in November 2012.
The number of new layoffs in coastal Georgia, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, decreased to 1,936, down by 661, or 25.5 percent, from 2,597 in October. Claims declined in several sectors, including professional and technical services, trade, transportation, and warehousing, along with health care and social assistance.  There were 2,675 claims in November 2012.
Unemployment in the coastal region decreased to 23,101, down by 2,755 from 25,856 in October. There were 26,393 unemployed in November 2012.
Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.1 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 10 percent.  
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November was 7.7 percent, down from 8.1 percent in October.
The rate was 8.7 percent in November a year ago.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.