Vermont’s unemployment rate dropped in January.
The Department of Labor says the rate of 4.7 percent is down two-tenths of a point.
The state says it’s been more than six months since unemployment increased and Vermont now ranks among the state’s with the lowest rate.
By comparison, the national unemployment rate in January was estimated at 7.9 percent. The rate for all of New England is 7.1 percent. Vermont is tied for fourth lowest rate in the country.
The Labor Department says the lowest rate in the state is in the Warren-Waitsfield area. And the highest is in Newport.
Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan says the latest report shows that the state’s economic recovery during 2012 was stronger than first reported.