Gov. Bob Riley announced on Friday that Alabama’s economy is continuing to improve, with more jobs coming into the state than ever before and bringing some hope to the unemployed.

Riley’s announcement came on the heels of data released Friday by the state Department of Industrial Relations that shows Alabama’s unemployment rate declined to 5.2 percent in November, the lowest level of the year and two-tenths of a percent better than the national rate.

“The economy is growing because businesses are hiring more workers, new companies are choosing to locate in the state and existing operations are expanding,” Riley said. “Our state is on track to record the first net gain in jobs in three years. That’s more proof that Alabama’s economy is one the right track.”

The 5.2 percent rate marks the third consecutive month unemployment has fallen in Alabama. The previous lowest rate of the year was 5.3 percent in June.

According to the Associated Press, the national unemployment rate for November was 5.4 percent.

The statewide decline in unemployment also means good news for Dallas County.

Preliminary data from the ADIR show Dallas County’s unemployment rate for November is 10.8 percent, compared to 11.9 percent in October.

This 10.8 percent, according to the ADIR, represents around 1,960 unemployed Dallas County residents.

There were 2,160 unemployed residents in county in October and around 2,240 in November 2003.

The state’s lowest unemployment figures were in Shelby County with 2.2 percent, Blount County with 2.9 percent and Tuscaloosa County with 3.4 percent.

The ADIR data shows the worst unemployment rates were found around the Black Belt.

Bullock County had 15.5 percent, Wilcox County had 15.3 percent, and Washington County had 13.2 percent.