MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) – New numbers show improvement in the local job market last month.

The seasonally unadjusted jobless rate fell in the Wausau metro area from 7.3 percent in November to 7.1 percent in December, according to the state workforce development department.

Within the city of Wausau itself, unemployment fell a full percentage point from 10.5 percent in November to 9.5 percent in December. Wausau dropped from having the fourth highest local jobless rate in the state to having the eighth highest rate.

More people also appear to have luck finding a job in Stevens Point, where the unemployment rate went from 7.2 percent in November to an even 7 percent last month.

Despite that, Portage County’s rate climbed from 5.6 percent to 5.8 percent in December. The rise could reflect NewPage Corporation’s decision to close its Whiting paper mill in February and lay off 360 employees.

On the Web: December local jobless rates