ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the preliminary unemployment rate in Hinesville declined to 8.5 percent in October, down 0.1 percent from 8.6 percent in September. The rate was 9.4 percent in October 2011.

The rate declined because of an increase of 200 new jobs in metro Hinesville. There were 20,000 jobs in October, up 1 percent, from 19,800 in September. The growth came mostly in service-related industries, including local government. In one year’s time, jobs also were up by 200 in Hinesville.

Athens continued to have the lowest area jobless rate at 6.2 percent, while Dalton had the highest at 11.3 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 8.7 percent in October, down 0.3 percent from 9 percent in September. The jobless rate was 9.7 percent in October a year ago.

Statewide, there were 3,971,700 jobs in October, up 36,000, or 0.9 percent, from 3,935,700 in September. During the year, Georgia gained 68,000 jobs, or 1.7 percent, from 3,903,700 in October 2011.

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