U.S. hiring grew at a robust pace in December, far exceeding economists' expectations and demonstrating the health of the nation's economy days before it transfers to the stewardship of President-elect Donald Trump. Employers added 256,000 workers last month, surpassing economist expectations of 155,000 jobs added, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data on Friday showed. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.1%, which is historically low.