The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Athens’ unemployment rate for September was 5.4 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 5.6 percent in August. The rate in September 2014 was 6.4 percent.

The rate declined as employers created more jobs. The number of jobs in Athens increased by 1,100, or 1.2 percent, in September to 93,900. The job gains came mostly in state government.  

Over the year, Athens gained 1,300 jobs, a growth rate of 1.4 percent, from 92,600 in September 2014. Most of the job growth came in state government, leisure and hospitality, and professional and business services.    

Also, the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 44, or 12.1 percent, to 409 in September. Most of the increase came in administrative and support services. Over the year, claims were down by nine, or 2.2 percent, from 418 in September 2014.     

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.7 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 7.5 percent.  

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for September was 5.8 percent, unchanged from August. It was 6.9 percent in September 2014. Over the month, Georgia gained 9,100 jobs, and is ranked third nationally in monthly job creation. Over the year, Georgia gained 84,200 jobs. 

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.georgia.gov.