Fayette County continued to be the employment leader in the metro area, as the county's unemployment rate dropped to a staggeringly low 1.6 percent for December.

Figures released by the Department of labor showed Fayette County had a labor force of 47,803 and 46,321 people working. The rate dropped from 1.9 percent in Nov., 1998 and is believed to be the lowest rate in the state.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said metro Atlanta's rate declined to 2.8 percent in December, down from 3 percent in November.

"Atlanta continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates among the metro areas," Thurmond said. "While we were pleased with the decline in the rate for December, we know that some employers have jobs that are unfilled, because of a shortage of workers with the skills and training to meet their specific needs. My goal is to develop a work force with the skills to meet the job demands of employers throughout Georgia."

The state's unemployment rate declined to 3.6 percent in December, down from 3.8 percent in November.

Other counties rates included:

• Clayton-3.2 percent.
• Coweta- 2.8 percent.
• Fulton- 3.5 percent.
• Henry- 1.9 percent.
• Spalding- 3.9 percent.
• Rockdale- 2.3 percent.