December’s unemployment rate fell to a four-year low, with the Kansas economy adding 21,300 jobs for all of 2005, the labor department said Friday.

The jobless rate was 4.3 percent in December, down from 4.7 percent in 2004 and the lowest since 4.2 percent in December 2001. The rate in November was 5.1 percent.

The Lawrence area, which consists of Douglas County, added 1,800 jobs in 2005, dropping the jobless rate to 3.1 percent in December, down from 3.8 percent in November and 3.5 percent in December 2004. Employment was aided by gains in services and goods-producing industries.