The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Albany’s unemployment rate for January was 6.3 percent, up two-tenths of a percentage point from 6.1 percent in December. The rate in January 2015 was 7.6 percent.

The rate rose as the number of jobs in Albany decreased to 61,500, down by 800, or 1.3 percent, from 62,300 in December. Most of the decrease came in trade, transportation and warehousing, along with state government. . 

However, over the year, Albany gained 800 jobs, a 1.3 percent growth rate, up from 60,700 in January 2015. Most of the job gains came in the private sector, including construction, information services, financial activities, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality. 

Also, the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 22, or 2.8 percent, to 764 in January. Most of the decrease came in manufacturing. Also, over the year, claims were down by 91, or 10.6 percent, from 855 in January 2015.      

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.5 percent, while Metro Dalton had the highest at 7.2 percent. 

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for January was 5.4 percent, down from 5.5 percent in December. It was 6.3 percent in January 2015.