ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor announced that the preliminary unemployment rate in metro Savannah declined to 7.7 percent in November, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 7.9 percent in October. The rate was 8.4 percent in November 2011.

The preliminary unemployment rate in the Coastal Georgia region declined to 8.2 percent in November, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.4 percent in October. The rate was 8.9 percent in November 2011.

Effingham County’s unemployment rate fell to 7.1 percent after being at 7.4 percent the previous month. Unemployment in  Effingham County stood at 7.8 percent for November 2011.

The rate declined because of job growth and fewer new layoffs, represented by first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits.

There was an increase of 500 new jobs in metro Savannah. There were 154,800 jobs in November, up three-tenths of a percentage point, from 154,300 in October. The growth came in retail trade, up 700. These gains were strong enough to offset losses of 200 in professional and business services. In one year’s time, jobs were up in metro Savannah by 4,700, or 3.1 percent, from 150,100 in November 2011.

There were also 123 fewer new claims for unemployment benefits in construction, manufacturing, retail trade and health care and social assistance.

    
Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.2 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 11 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined 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.