Prince George's unemployment rate stood at 4.5 per cent in January, according to Statistics Canada labour market survey numbers released Friday, up slightly from 4.2 per cent seen during December but markedly lower than the 8.1 per cent reached a year ago.

Last month, an estimated 48,600 people were employed while 2,300 were unemployed but seeking work and 19,900 people of working age who were unemployed but not seeking employment.

In December 2012, there were 50,000 people working, 2,200 unemployed but seeking work and 18,600 of working age who were unemployed but not seeking work.

In January 2012, 49,000 people were working but 4,300 were unemployed and seeking work while 17,900 were unemployed and not seeking work.

Also, there were starts on seven new single-family homes in Prince George and area last month, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing numbers released Friday, a significant improvement over the zero starts during the same month last year.