The unemployment rate in metro Gainesville declined to 6.5 percent in November, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 6.6 percent in October, the Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday.

The jobless rate in the area was 7.4 percent in November 2011.

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

There was an increase of 400 new jobs in metro Gainesville, which includes all of Hall County. The area included 79,200 jobs in November, up five-tenths of a percentage point, from 78,800 in October. The growth came in local government, up 300, and 100 in retail trade. In one year’s time, jobs were up in metro Gainesville by 3,200, or 4.2 percent, from 76,000 in November 2011.

There were also 293 fewer new claims for unemployment benefits in construction, manufacturing, trade, administrative and support services, health care and social assistance, and accommodations and food services.

Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped 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.

The jobless rate in the Georgia Mountains region fell to 7.1 percent in November, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 7.2 percent in October. The rate was 7.8 percent in November 2011.

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