ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the preliminary unemployment rate in metro Albany declined to 9.2% in November, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 9.3% in October. The rate was 9.8% in November 2011.
The rate declined because of job growth and fewer new layoffs, represented by first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits.
Southwest Georgia's unemployment rate declines to 8.8% in November, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 8.9% in October. The rate was 9.2% in November 2011.
- Click HERE to see a statewide map of unemployment rates for November.
There was an increase of 500 new jobs in metro Albany. There were 60,000 jobs in November, up eight-tenths of a percentage point, from 59,500 in October. The growth came in trade, transportation, and warehousing, up 400, and state government, up 100. In one year's time, jobs were up in metro Albany by 400, or seven-tenths of a percentage point, from 59,600 in November 2011.
There were also 75 fewer new claims for unemployment benefits in construction, manufacturing, and retail trade.
Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.2 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 11 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 8.5 percent in November, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.7 percent in October. The rate was 9.5 percent in November a year ago.
Statewide, there were 3,984,000 jobs in November, up 9,600, or two-tenths of a percentage point, from 3,974,400 in October. Over the year, Georgia gained 61,900 jobs, or 1.6 percent, from 3,922,100 in November 2011.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us
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