The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Augusta’s unemployment rate for September was 6.3 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 6.5 percent in August. The rate in September 2014 was 7.3 percent.

The rate declined as employers created more jobs. The number of jobs in Augusta increased by 1,300, or 0.6 percent, in September to 230,600. The job gains came mostly in state and local government and education and health services.  

Over the year, Augusta gained 5,800 jobs, a growth rate of 2.6 percent, from 224,800 in September 2014. Most of the job growth came in leisure and hospitality, education and health services, retail trade, and local and federal government.   

Also, the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by nine, or 0.8 percent, to 1,159 in September. Most of the increase came in wholesale trade and health care and social assistance. Over the year, claims were down by 252, or 17.9 percent, from 1,411 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.