(AP) - New Jersey's unemployment has fallen to a new low of 3.3%.

The state Labor and Workforce Development Department made the announcement Thursday. The agency says July's rate bests the previous month's low of 3.5%.

The rate is the lowest monthly rate since record-keeping began in 1976.

Despite the falling rate, the state lost 500 jobs in July.

New Jersey's jobless rate is below the national rate of 3.7%.

The department says the state saw fewer jobs created in five of nine major categories. Leisure and hospitality; education and health services; information and financial services; as well as other services all shed workers.