The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Albany’s unemployment rate for September was 8.3 percent, down nine-tenths of a percentage point from 9.2 percent in August. The rate in September of last year was 8.6 percent. 

The rate dropped because there were 617 fewer unemployed people in the Albany area in September, according to the federal government’s monthly household survey.  

As the rate decreased, Metro Albany gained 300 jobs, or 0.5 percent, in September, as the total number of jobs increased to 60,900 from 60,600 in August. The gains came in state government.   

However, there was an over-the-year loss of 300 jobs, or 0.5 percent, from 61,200 in September 2013. The job losses were with the federal government and in trade, transportation and warehousing.   

Also, there were 584 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in September, an increase of 46, or 8.6 percent, from 538 in August. Most of the increase in claims came in manufacturing, construction, and administrative services. Over the year, claims were down 4.6 percent from the 612 filed in September 2013.    

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.7 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 9.5 percent. 

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for September was 7.9 percent, down from 8.1 percent in August. It was 8.0 percent in September 2013.