Fayette County's employment rate dropped two-tenths of a percent in November to 1.9 percent.

The rate drop mirrored the rest of the metro Atlanta region as the region's rate dropped from 3.2 percent to 3 percent.

"Unemployment rates are usually at one of their lowest levels during this time of year," said state labor commissioner Marti Fullerton. "That's because sales clerks and other service workers are hired temporarily for the holiday shopping season. This year is no exception, as virtually all of the new jobs are tied to the holiday shopping season."

For example, the number of nonfarm jobs in the metro area rose to 2.06 million, up by 15,100 from Oct., with retailers accounting for nearly two-thirds of the job growth.

The state's unemployment rate declined to 3.8 percent in Nov., down from 4.1 percent in Oct.. The state's jobless rate was 4 percent in Nov., 1997.

Rates of neighboring counties include:

· Fulton, 3.7 percent, down .1 percent.

· Clayton, 3.2 percent, down .3 percent.

· Henry, 2.2 percent, unchanged.

· Coweta, 3.2 percent, unchanged.

· Spalding, 3.6 percent, unchanged.

Fayette's labor force increased from 46,890 in Oct. to 47,297 in Nov.