Rowan County’s unemployment rate continued its decline in November.

The county’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent last month, down 0.3 percentage points from October. The number of unemployed people in the county was estimated at 3,598, according to data from the state Department of Commerce.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate was also 5.3 percent in November.

Rowan County’s unemployment rate in November of 2013 was 7.2 percent.

In October, the county’s unemployment fell to its lowest level since before the recession.

Neighboring counties Iredell, Davie, Cabarrus and Stanly had unemployment rates at 5 percent or lower with Davie’s being the lowest at 4.5 percent.

Davidson County’s November rate was 5.5 percent.

Statewide, 72 counties saw their unemployment rate drop while 20 saw increases and eight remained the same.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in November.

Contact reporter David Purtell at 704-797-4264.