ATLANTA — Metro Hinesville’s unemployment rate dropped in March, according to information released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor
The area’s rate declined to 8.6 percent in March, down 0.2 percent from 8.8 percent in February. The rate also was 8.8 percent in March a year ago.
The rate declined because the number of unemployed people decreased to 2,872, down by 64 from 2,936 in February.
The number of jobs rose to 19,800, up by 100 from 19,700 in February.
Most of the growth came in the service-related industries.  
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 8.4 percent, down from 8.6 percent in February. The rate was 9.1 percent in March a year ago.
Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.9 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 10.4 percent.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.