SAN DIEGO - The unemployment rate in San Diego County last month was 8.3 percent, according to the state Employment Development Department. That's the lowest rate since December of 2008, when it was 7.5 percent.

The EDD reported that the local rate was down from an adjusted 8.6 percent in October and below the 9.4 percent figure recorded in November 2011.

The seasonally-unadjusted unemployment rate for California in November was 9.6 percent, and the rate for the nation as a whole was 7.4 percent, according to the EDD.

The agency said San Diego Advertisement

[ Metalography ] County gained 7,600 nonfarm jobs last month. There were 24,600 more positions than in November of last year.

The employment gains were led by large percentage increases in retail and clothing sales -- both seasonally and for the year as a whole --- along with administration, finance, and amusement and recreation, according to the EDD.

The EDD reported that 134,100 San Diegans were unemployed, out of a workforce of around 1.6 million. The total of area residents without jobs was nearly 15,000 lower than it was at the same time last year.