Here are the latest unemployment numbers from the state Department of Labor:
Hinesville
• December: 9.2 percent
• November: 8.9 percent
State
• Lowest rates in Georgia: Metro Athens and Warner Robins, 7.3 percent
• Highest rate in Georgia: Metro Dalton, 12.1 percent
• Overall: 9.7 percent
ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor announced Wednesday that the preliminary unemployment rate in metro Hinesville rose to 9.2 percent in December, up three-tenths of a percentage point from 8.9 percent in November.
The jobless rate in in December 2010 was 8.8 percent.
The rate increased because there were fewer employed residents and because the number of jobs declined by 100, mostly with the federal government.
Statewide, Metro Athens and Warner Robins had the lowest area rates at 7.3 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 12.1 percent.
Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in December for the third straight month, dropping to 9.7 percent, down from a revised 9.8 percent in November. The jobless rate was 10.4 percent in December a year ago.
The state rate declined because 11,500 Georgians went back to work in December. Statewide, there were 600 new construction jobs, and manufacturing grew by 400 jobs. Job gains also came in information services and trade and transportation.
Georgia labor market data are at www.dol.state.ga.us.