More detailed unemployment data from the state labor department shows the Dalton area has the highest jobless rate at 11.8 percent.

Metro Athens posted the lowest unemployment rate in November at 6.9 percent.

Labor Commissioner Mark Butler earlier reported that Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November fell to 9.9 percent, the largest one-month decline since 1977.

Official say the state's unemployment rate dropped because of an increase of more than 22,000 jobs. Retail, financial and business services, and education and health care all showed growth.

Georgia's 9.9 percent rate compares to 10.4 percent in November a year ago.

The local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

Other metro area unemployment figures:
Albany – 9.7 percent
Athens – 6.9 percent
Atlanta – 9.2 percent
Augusta – 8.7 percent
Brunswick – 9.7 percent
Columbus – 8.6 percent
Dalton – 11.8 percent
Gainesville – 7.7 percent
Hinesville-Ft. Stewart – 8.9 percent
Macon – 9.4 percent
Rome – 10.4 percent
Savannah – 8.4 percent
Valdosta – 8.6 percent
Warner-Robins – 7.2 percent

Contributors: GPB's Joshua Stewart contributed to this report.

Tags: Department of Labor, Athens, Dalton, Georgia unemployment rate, Mark Butler, Athens unemployment, Dalton unemployment