Area Unemployment, Labor Forces Were at 2012 Lows in December

Unemployment rates in Weston, Redding and Easton finished the last month of 2012 lower than they'd been in awhile.

Weston and Redding's unemployment rates of 5.1 percent were the lowest the towns experienced all year, while Easton's unemployment rate of 5.5 percent was the lowest since April, according to the latest figures released by the Connecticut Department of Labor.

But while the recent numbers might seem good, it's important to note that the labor forces for the three towns were the lowest of the year in December:

• Weston's labor force shrunk from 4,797 to 4,756
• Redding's labor force shrunk from 4,760 to 4,701
• Easton's labor force shrunk from 3,715 to 3,675

Unemployment rates do not consider those who've stopped looking for work but are able to work. 

State, National Unemployment Rate

In Connecticut, the pool of jobless people last month also dropped to 7.8 percent overall. Nationally, the United State's unemployment rate is 7.6 percent.

A PDF of the state's December unemployment report for all towns and cities in Connecticut is attached to this article.