Joblessness in Warren County fell slightly in December along with the rest of the state.

Local unemployment stood at 10 percent for the month, down from an adjusted 10.4 percent in November, according to totals released Wednesday by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The local labor force shrank by 50 people last month, to 22,670 from 22,720. The number of unemployed fell by 90, to 2,270.

Local employers hiring include the Bunge-Ergon ethanol plant at the Port of Vicksburg and Goody’s, an apparel retailer owned by national clothing chain Stage Stores Inc. The company has inquired about space in the Vicksburg Mall on Pemberton Square Boulevard, though store officials haven’t confirmed an opening date.

Unemployment statewide was 9.7 percent, down from 10.1 percent last month. The rate returned to 10.1 when adjusted for seasonal factors in the workplace. The number of unemployed decreased by 5,100 over the month, while the employed total increased by 6,800 from November, the agency said. Nationally, unemployment stood at 9.1 percent, down slightly from a revised 9.3 percent in October. The seasonally adjusted national rate is 9.4 percent.

Statewide figures reflected gains in the trade and transportation and utilities categories, while leisure and hospitality recorded the biggest drop, according to MDES.

Rankin County posted the lowest rate in the state, at 6 percent, down from an adjusted 6.5 percent in November. Noxubee County posted the highest, at 19.2.

Among area counties, Claiborne County’s unemployment rate stood at 14.6 percent for the month, down from 14.9 percent in November. Issaquena and Sharkey counties posted increases, with Issaquena up a half point to 11.5 percent and Sharkey up more than a point to 13.9 percent.