ATLANTA — The preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Savannah increased to 9.5 percent in August, up two-tenth of a percentage point from 9.3 percent in July, according to State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. The jobless rate in metro Savannah in August a year ago also was 9.3 percent.
The rate increased because there were more layoffs in manufacturing, trade, administrative and support services, and accommodations and food services.
Meanwhile, the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the Coastal Georgia area was unchanged at 9.9 percent from July to August, Butler said. The jobless rate in the Coastal Georgia area in August a year ago was 9.6 percent.
The lowest area rate, at 7.8 percent, was recorded in Athens and Warner Robins, while the highest, at 12.7 percent, was in the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha area near Dublin.
Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent in July, 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.