The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that metro Albany’s unemployment rate decreased to 9.8 percent in July, down four-tenths of a percentage point from 10.2 percent in June. The rate was 10.1 percent in July a year ago.

The rate declined because 997 more residents became employed, pushing the total number to 67,289, plus there was an increase in the number of jobs.

There were 61,200 jobs in July in metro Albany, up by 400 from 60,800 in June. State government shed 200 jobs, but the loss was tempered by gains in the service-related industries, including trade and transportation. The area has gained 200 jobs since the 61,000 in July 2012.

The labor force, which is the number of people employed plus those unemployed but actively looking for work, rose by 804 to 74,591 in July, up from 73,787 in June. It was down by 1,186 from 75,777 in July 2012.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.9 percent, while metro Dalton and the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region tied for the highest at 12.3 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July was 8.8 percent, up from 8.5 percent in June. The rate was 9.1 percent in July a year ago.