The Georgia Department of Labor reported Friday the lowest unemployment rate in Georgia is in Athens with 7.5 percent; the highest is Dalton with 12.7 percent.

The statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 10.2 percent, down slightly from 10.3 percent last month and from October 2010.

Labor officials said last week Georgia added 26,500 jobs last month, mostly from early hiring in retail, transportation and warehousing for the holiday season.

October is the 51st consecutive month that Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is 9 percent.

Metro Atlanta's unemployment rate has declined to 9.9 percent, compared to 10.2 percent in September.

Tags: Department of Labor, Georgia unemployment, Georgia unemployment rate, Athens unemployment