Ohio's unemployment rate has dropped again, following the biggest one-month decline in almost 30 years.
The state Department of Job and Family Services reported Friday that the state had joblessness of 8.1 percent in December, down from 8.5 percent in November. The November rate had been down a full half-point from October's even 9 percent.
Officials say 469,000 Ohio workers were unemployed last month, compared to 496,000 in November. Ohio payrolls outside of farms also fell last month, by 3,300. The state says hiring was down in both services and goods-producing industries. Government added 3,100 jobs.
Ohio's 8.1 percent unemployment rate for December is a few notches below the national rate of 8.5 percent.