Franklin County’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in November, holding steady at 8.2 percent, which is still below the state average.

Alabama’s overall jobless claims fell to 8.7 percent, which was down from October’s rate of 9.3 percent.

The 8.2 percent figure for Franklin County represents 1,096 county residents.

The statewide unemployment rate represents 187,720 unemployed persons, compared to 201,042 last month and 192,613 in November 2010.

“Everyday we work hard to create jobs and put Alabamians back to work. That is exactly what is happening now in our state,” Gov. Robert Bentley said.

“November’s drop in the unemployment rate shows positive momentum needed at a time when our economy is struggling. We still have a long way to go before we reach full employment, but another month with a decrease in unemployment is certainly a good sign our economy is improving.”

Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees added that recent unemployment rate changes are indicative of a new positive trend.

“For the past several months, we’ve seen our unemployment slowly decrease,” Tom Surtees said. “We’re gaining jobs in Alabama –over 38,000 since January alone – and that’s always welcome news.”

Total nonagricultural employment stood at 1,842,100 in January 2011 and at 1,880,700 in October, a gain of 38,600 jobs.

In October, wage and salary employment increased by 4,600 over the month, with the majority of the gains occurring in the trade, transportation, and utilities industry and the education and health services industry.

Active job orders on Alabama’s free online jobs database, www.joblink.alabama.gov, are at their highest point in over four years. There are currently 8,429 active job orders on Joblink.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates were: Shelby County at 5.4 percent, Coffee County at 6.2 percent and Pike County at 6.6 percent. Counties with the highest unemployment rates were: Wilcox County at 17.8 percent, Perry County at 15.6 percent and Bullock County at 15.5 percent.

In northwest Alabama, unemployment rates were as follows: Lauderdale County at 7.1 percent, Colbert County at 8 percent, Lawrence County at 9 percent, Marion County at 9.5 percent and Winston County at 11.4 percent.