Pike County’s unemployment rate is down slightly from November, following the state trend, according to the Alabama Department of Labor.

December 2012’s preliminary numbers show an unemployment rate of 6.5 percent. In November 2012, it was 6.7 percent. A year ago the number was 6.9 percent.

That means that 14,755 people in Pike County’s civilian labor force are employed and 1,029 are without jobs.

For the state, December 2012’s unemployment rate was 7.1 percent, down from November’s rate of 7.5 percent and below December 2011’s rate of 8 percent.

“We are encouraged to see our unemployment rate drop once again,” Alabama Governor Robert Bentley said. “Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen the total number of unemployed persons drop by nearly 22,000. Still, we must remember that many people are looking for work. Job creation remains my number-one priority, and I will continue working every day to bring more jobs to Alabama.”

The Alabama Department of Labor reported annual gains in wage and salary employment were seen in the manufacturing sector (up 7,600), the professional and business services sector (up 4,500), the leisure and hospitality sector (up 3,400) and the trade, transportation and utilities sector (up 2,500).

“While the decrease in the number of unemployed persons is certainly welcomed, along with the other positive signs we’ve been seeing recently, we will continue to work to improve the employment picture in Alabama,” Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees said.

Assistance in finding a job, writing a résumé and receiving educational or vocational training opportunities can be found at any of the state’s 47 local Career Centers. A listing of Career Centers can be found at www.joblink.alabama.gov. The Career Center in Troy is located on Brundidge Street.

The counties with the lowest December 2012 unemployment rates were: Shelby County at 4.6 percent, Madison and Blount Counties at 5.5 percent, and Coffee, Cullman, Lee and St. Clair Counties at 5.7 percent. The counties with the highest unemployment rates were: Wilcox County at 15.1 percent, Bullock County at 13.1 percent and Perry, Greene and Dallas Counties at 12.0 percent.