ATLANTA — The preliminary unemployment rate in Hinesville rose to 9.6 percent in June, the Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday.

The June rate is up 0.8 percent from 8.8 percent in May. The rate increased because 113 new job seekers entered the labor force but were unable to find work, which pushed unemployment up 280.

Hinesville’s rate was 9.8 percent in June 2011.

State-wide, Athens and Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rates at 7.5 percent, while Dalton had the highest at 12.3 percent. Athens has had the lowest area rate, or tied for the lowest, each month since December 2009. Dalton has had the highest area rate since August 2011.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 9 percent in June, up 0.1 percent from 8.9 percent in May, the first increase in almost a year. The jobless rate was 9.9 percent in June a year ago.

The number of jobs in the state dropped by 8,200, or 0.2 percent, from 3,941,500 in May to 3,933,300 in June. However, jobs were up by 45,200 from 3,888,100 in June 2011.

In Hinesville, jobs were unchanged at 19,800 over the month and year.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted.

Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.