ATLANTA — State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said last week that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Hinesville decreased to 9.6 percent in August, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 9.7 percent in July. The jobless rate in metro Hinesville in August a year ago was 9.2 percent.

The rate decreased because there were fewer layoffs in construction, retail trade, administrative and support services, and accommodations and food services.

The lowest area rates, at 7.8 percent, were recorded in Athens and Warner Robins, while the highest, at 12.7 percent, was in the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha area near Dublin. 

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent in August, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 10.1 percent in July. The state’s jobless rate also was 10.2 percent in August a year ago. The increase occurred because about 5,500 new job seekers, as well as more of those already unemployed, were unable to find work.

August marked the 49th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which currently is 9.1 percent, unchanged from July. 

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