The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that metro Valdosta’s unemployment rate declined to 8.1 percent in February, down five-tenths of a percentage point from 8.6 percent in January. The rate was 8.9 percent in February a year ago.

The rate declined because the number of jobs increased and there were fewer new layoffs, which were represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits.

The number of jobs in metro Valdosta increased by 300, climbing to 53,800 from 53,500 in January. Most of the growth came in the service-related industries.

Over-the-year, metro Valdosta added 800 jobs, or 1.5 percent, from 53,000 in February 2012. Most of the growth was in the service-related industries and state government.

The number of first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits fell by 409 from 849 in January to 440 in February. The decreases came mostly in construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation, and warehousing, administrative and support services, and accommodations and food services. And, the number of initial claims was down over-the-year by 119 from 559 in February 2012. Most of the over-the-year decline came in the same industries as the monthly decline.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.1 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 11.2 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February was 8.6 percent, down from 8.7 percent in January. The rate was 9.2 percent in February a year ago.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.