The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Atlanta’s unemployment rate for September was 5.5 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 5.6 percent in August. The rate in September 2014 was 6.7 percent.

The rate fell as more residents got a job and there were fewer new layoffs.

The number of employed residents increased by 2,402 to 2,654,589 from 2,652,187 in August. Also, the number of new layoffs, as measured by initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 621, or 4.6 percent, to 12,742 in September. The decreases came in a number of industries including manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, administrative and support services, accommodations and food services, and educational services. Over the year, claims were down by 1,531, or 10.7 percent, from 14,273 in September 2014.     

At the same time, the number of jobs in Atlanta decreased by 3,600, or 0.1 percent, in September to 2,592,100. Jobs were lost in several major employment sectors, including leisure and hospitality, 5,300; professional and business services, 3,400; trade, transportation and warehousing, 1,300; and construction, 1,100. State and local government added 9,100 jobs as the public schools reopened for the new school year. Manufacturing added 900 new jobs. 

However, over the year Atlanta gained 72,300 jobs, a growth rate of 2.9 percent, from 2,519,800 in September 2014. Most of the job growth came in professional and business services, 18,200; trade, transportation and warehousing, 16,500; leisure and hospitality, 9,600; government, 8,900; education and health services, 7,800; financial activities, 4,500; construction, 5,600; and manufacturing, 3,300.   

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.