The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Albany increased to 10.8 percent in September, up one-tenth of a percentage point from a revised 10.7 percent in August. The jobless rate in metro Albany in September a year ago was also 10.8 percent.

The rate increased because there was a loss of 400 jobs and layoffs in construction, educational services, health care and social assistance, and accommodation and food services.

The lowest area rates, at 8.0 percent, were recorded in Athens and Warner Robins, while the highest, at 12.5 percent, was in metro Dalton.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.3 percent in September, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 10.2 percent in August. The state’s jobless rate was also 10.2 percent in September a year ago.

The rate increased due to Georgia losing jobs in September and many new job seekers continuously being unable to find work. The number of jobs in Georgia decreased 15,100, or four-tenths of a percentage point, from August to 3,793,200. Most of the loss was among seasonal workers in leisure and hospitality.

September is the 50th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9.1 percent.