The Georgia Department of Labor announced on Thursday that the unemployment rate in the Northwest Georgia region for September was 5.6 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 5.8 percent in August. The rate in September 2014 was 6.9 percent.
The rate declined as the number of employed residents increased by 1,420 to 372,502 from 371,082 in August.
At the same time, the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 338, or 15.3 percent, to 2,550 in September. Most of the increase came in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down by 566, or 18.2 percent, from 3,116 in September 2014.
Metro Dalton’s unemployment rate for September was 6.1 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 6.3 percent in August. The rate in September 2014 was 7.9 percent.
The rate dropped as 232 residents found work. Also, employers created 100, or 0.2 percent, jobs in September to 68,500. The job gains came mostly in state and local government and wholesale trade.
Over the year, Dalton gained 1,200 jobs, a growth rate of 1.8 percent, from 67,300 in September 2014. Most of the job growth came in manufacturing, along with trade, transportation and warehousing and professional and business services.
Also, the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 271, or 42.4 percent, to 910 in September. Most of the increase came in temporary claims filed in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down by 230, or 20.2 percent, from 1,140 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 atwww.dol.georgia.gov.