State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today metro Albany’s unemployment rate fell in September as the number of jobs increased and unemployment claims declined.

The September unemployment rate, at 5.1 percent, was down from 5.8 percent in August. The September rate compares favorably to last September when the rate was 6.5 percent.

“The combination of a falling unemployment rate and an increase in the number of employed residents shows a city on the rise,” Butler said. “Seeing the number of jobs increase is always a good indicator. However, seeing the number of employed Georgians increase is the ultimate positive result.”

Butler said Wednesday that in September jobs grew in metro Albany by 300 to 62,200. The job growth came in trade, transportation and warehousing, along with local government. While metro Albany gained jobs in September, the total number of jobs was down by 100 from a year earlier.  

The number of employed residents rose by 1,171 to 64,019. From September a year ago, the number of employed residents was up by 1,462 from 62,557.

Unemployment claims were down by 14.4 percent to 369. Claims were down in administrative and support services. When compared to last September, claims were down by 13.2 percent, from 425.

 “The city continues to head in the right direction,” Butler said.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at  employgeorgia.com showed 619 new active job postings in metro Albany for September.  

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