ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the preliminary unemployment rate in Hinesville rose to 9.7 percent in July, up 0.1 percent from 9.6 percent in June. The rate was 9.8 percent in July 2011.

The rate increased because there were 33 new layoffs in manufacturing, construction, transportation and warehousing, health care and social assistance, and accommodation and food services.

Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 7.4 percent, while Dalton had the highest at 12.5 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 9.3 percent in July, up three-tenths of a percentage point from 9 percent in June. The jobless rate was 10 percent in July a year ago.

The number of jobs in the state dropped by 17,900, or five-tenths of a percentage point, from 3,931,900 in June to 3,914,000 in July. There were 20,600 jobs lost among seasonal workers in the local public schools, but some of that loss was offset because the private sector added 5,600 jobs.

In Hinesville, jobs decreased to 19,600, down by 100 from June, but up by 100 from 19,500 in July 2011.

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