Rowan County’s unemployment rate ended 2014 on a high, or low, note.

The rate dropped 0.2 percentage points from November to December for a year-end rate of 5.2 percent. The rate at the end of 2013 was 6.8 percent, and the county’s unemployment rate fell 1.6 percentage points in 2014.

The county’s unemployment rate reached pre-recession levels in late 2014. The rate was last below 5.2 percent in April 2008 and February 2007.

In December, the size of the county’s labor force was estimated to be 66,726, with 3,473 people out of work. The numbers of unemployed are similar to pre-recession levels. But the labor force continues to decline, as it was at 70,000 before the recession. The decline could be a sign that people moved away during the recession or simply gave up looking for work.

Neighboring counties Davidson, Cabarrus, Stanly and Davie saw their rates drop slightly in December. Iredell’s rate stayed the same at 5 percent. Davie County, at 4.3 percent, had the lowest unemployment rate among the group.

For the state, 56 counties saw a decrease in their unemployment rate in December, while 28 saw an increase and 16 saw no change. The statewide unemployment rate for December was 5.5 percent.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in December.

Contact Reporter David Purtell at 704-797-4264.