Unemployment rate drops to 8 percent | News

ATLANTA -- Metro Atlanta's jobless rate has dropped to 8 percent.

The November number continues a downward trend in metro Atlanta's unemployment figures. The rate is down from 8.2 percent in October and 8.9 percent a year ago.

Gwinnett County's rate was 7.1 percent in November.

RELATED | Ga. unemployment hits 4-year low

The Georgia Department of Labor released the new numbers early Thursday.

State labor officials say the rate declined because of job growth and fewer new layoffs, as indicated by first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits.