The Georgia Department of Labor has reported that the unemployment rate in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) decreased to 5.7 percent in December, down fourtenths percent from 6.1 in November. The area’s jobless rate stood at 5.5 percent in December of 2004.

Meanwhile, the state’s unemployment rate decreased to 4.9 percent in December, down three-tenths percent from 5.2 percent in November. Georgia’s rate stood at 4.7 percent in December of 2004.

The state rate declined in December because seasonal jobs in some industries, such as trade and services increased, while other workers in construction and manufacturing left the job market due to seasonal slow downs and were not actively seeking employment due to the impending recalls.

The state’s rate still topped the comparable national rate for the eighth consecutive month. The U.S. rate stood at 4.6 percent in December.

Georgia added 12,600 jobs in December, many of those among seasonal workers in retail trade and service-related industries. During the same period last year, Georgia added 7,700 jobs, with many of those in trade and services.