The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Valdosta’s unemployment rate for September was 5.9 percent, down three-tenths of a percentage point from 6.2 percent in August. The rate in September 2014 was 7.2 percent.

The rate declined as the number of employed residents increased by 230 to 56,995 from 56,765 in August.  

The number of jobs in Valdosta was unchanged at 53,800 from August to September. However, over-the-year, Valdosta has lost 1,100 jobs, down from 54,900 in September 2014. Most of the job losses have come in state government and the service-related industries. 

Also, the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by five, or 1.9 percent, to 274 in September. Most of the increase came in accommodations and food services. Over the year, claims were down by 19, or 6.5 percent, from 293 in September 2014.     

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.7 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 7.5 percent.  

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for September was 5.8 percent, unchanged from August. It was 6.9 percent in September 2014. Over the month, Georgia gained 9,100 jobs, and is ranked third nationally in monthly job creation. Over the year, Georgia gained 84,200 jobs.    

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.georgia.gov.