State labor officials say metro Savannah's jobless rate has dropped to 7.7 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 7.9 percent in October and 8.4 percent a year ago.
The November rate declined because of job growth and fewer new layoffs, as indicated by first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits.
Metro Savannah saw an increase of 500 new jobs. The area also had 123 fewer new claims for unemployment benefits in construction, manufacturing, retail trade and health care and social assistance.
The Georgia Department of Labor released the new numbers early Thursday.
In keeping with Savannah's trend, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dipped to 8.5 percent in November, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.7 percent in October. The rate was 9.5 percent in November a year ago.
Statewide, there were 3,984,000 jobs in November, up 9,600, or two-tenths of a percentage point, from 3,974,400 in October. Over the year, Georgia gained 61,900 jobs, or 1.6 percent, from 3,922,100 in November 2011.