Raleigh, N.C. — Unemployment in the Raleigh-Cary, Durham, Fayetteville, Rocky Mount and Goldsboro metropolitan areas all decreased in December, according to new figures released Friday by the North Carolina Employment Security Commission.

The jobless rate in Raleigh-Cary dipped to 3.4 percent from 3.6 percent, tying Asheville for the lowest unemployment rate among the state’s 14 metropolitan areas.

The state’s jobless rate declined as well to 4.7 percent from 4.9 percent in November.

Overall in 2006, the Raleigh-Cary area set the pace for the state in new jobs growth, adding a net 19,300 for a total employment of 494,800. That was a 4.1 percent jump. Durham added 5,500 jobs for an employment total of 280,400.

Unemployment in Durham fell to 3.8 percent from 4 percent.

Fayetteville’s rate dropped to 5.7 percent from 6.1 percent. Goldsboro’s percentage fell even more, to 4.8 percent from 5.3 percent.

The Rocky Mount jobless rate remained one of the highest in the state at 6.3 percent, but that was an improvement over 6.5 percent in November.

For the year, North Carolina produced more than 128,600 additional jobs.

“December wrapped up a very good year for employment in North Carolina,” said ESC Chairman Harry Payne Jr.

The number of people employed in December actually decreased by 6,410 to 4.278 million. However, the ranks of the unemployed declined even more – by 8,787, as the state’s workforce decreased by more than 15,000.

For the year, the number of jobs increased/decreased by the following in the state’s metro areas:

• Asheville: 4,900 (+ 2.9%)

• Burlington: 1,500 (+ 2.5%)

• Charlotte: 13,200 (+1.6%)

• Durham: 5,500 (+2%)

• Fayetteville: -300 (-0.2%)

• Goldsboro: -900 (-2.1%)

• Greensboro-High Point: -900 (-0.2%)

• Greenville: 2,500 (+3.5%)

• Hickory: -1,200 (-0.7%)

• Jacksonville: 1,900 (+4.4%)

• Raleigh-Cary: 19,300 (4.1%)

• Rocky Mount: -100 (-0.2%)

• Wilmington: 2,200 (+1.6%)

• Winston-Salem: 4,900 (+2.3%)