RALEIGH -- North Carolina's November unemployment rate was 7.4%, falling from 8% in October to the lowest point in five years. Department of Commerce Spokesperson Larry Parker says many factors culminated with the falling rate, including some unemployed no longer looking for work.

Parker said, "There's been a decrease in the labor force, but we did see over 20,000 people become employed in November."

Parker added every sector, other than construction and government, saw job growth over 2013. The national unemployment rate for November was 7%.