COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina unemployment has fallen below the national jobless rate for the first time in more than a decade, officials said Tuesday.

In December, the state’s jobless rate was 6.6. percent, according to the Department of Employment and Workforce. Two points lower than unemployment a year ago, December marked South Carolina’s fourth straight monthly decline and the state’s lowest mark since summer 2008, when unemployment was 6.3 percent in June and 6.7 percent in July.