ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in Hinesville increased to 9.8 percent in September, up two-tenths of a percentage point from 9.6 percent in July. The jobless rate in Hinesville in September a year ago was 8.8 percent.
The rate increased because there was a loss of 100 jobs and layoffs in manufacturing. Also, there were about 100 more job seekers looking for work. 
The lowest area rates, at 8 percent, were recorded in Athens and Warner Robins, while the highest, at 12.5 percent, was in metro Dalton. 
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.3 percent in September, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 10.2 percent in August. The state’s jobless rate also was 10.2 percent in September a year ago. 
The rate increased due to Georgia losing jobs in September and many new job seekers continuously being unable to find work. The number of jobs in Georgia decreased 15,100, or four-tenths of a percentage point, from August to 3,793,200. Most of the loss was among seasonal workers in leisure and hospitality.
 September is the 50th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9.1 percent.
Local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.