After rising at the very beginning of 2013, early federal government data shows unemployment in Suffolk in April fell to its lowest rate since 2008.

Unemployment in the city stood at 5.5 percent in April, the lowest rate since 5.1 percent in December 2008, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows.

April’s preliminary jobless rate was down from 5.7 percent in March, 6.1 percent in February and 6.6 percent in January.

The bureau has adjusted Suffolk’s unemployment rate for December from 5.9 percent up to 6 percent.