Unemployment rates continue to hold firm in the northeastern part of Georgia, according to recent numbers.

In the latest figures released by the Georgia Department of Labor Thursday, the unemployment rate in the Georgia Mountains region, of which Dawson County is a part, remains unchanged at 6 percent from November to December.

However, these numbers are down from 7.6 percent in December a year ago.

While the rate was unchanged, the numbers also mean that seasonal hiring in trade, transportation and warehousing kept the jobless rate steady. The number of employed residents was up by 131, bringing employed residents in the region to 286,280, an increase from 286,149 in November.

There were 286,031 employed residents in December 2012.

However, the stability of percentages does not mean that the number of people stayed the same.

Layoffs are still occurring, increasing to 4,062, up by 2,303, or 130.9 percent, from 1,759 in November. These figures are based off of initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits. Claims increased in several sectors, including manufacturing, administrative and support services, construction, and accommodations and food services.

There were 3,418 claims in December 2012.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.2 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 10.2 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December was 7.4 percent, down from 7.6 percent in November. The rate was 8.7 percent in December a year ago.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.employgeorgia.com.