Unemployment rate drops for Columbus area | Jobs

COLUMBUS, GA - The unemployment rate for the Columbus area has dropped to 8.3 percent in November, lower than one year ago.

The Georgia Department of Labor announced the preliminary unemployment rate dropped from 8.7 percent in October. The rate was 8.5 in November 2011.

The rate declined because of job growth and fewer new layoffs, represented by first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits.

There was an increase of 1,200 new jobs in metro Columbus. There were 120,300 jobs in November, up 1.0 percent, from 119,100 in October. The growth came in trade, transportation, and warehousing, up 600; federal and local government, up 300; and finance and insurance, up 100. These gains were strong enough to offset losses in professional and business services. However, in one year’s time, jobs were down in metro Columbus by 700, or six-tenths of a percentage point, from 121,000 in November 2011.

There were also 292 fewer new claims for unemployment benefits in construction, manufacturing, retail trade, professional and technical services, administrative and support services, and accommodations and food services.    

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 8.5 percent in November, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.7 percent in October. The rate was 9.5 percent in November a year ago.

Statewide, there were 3,984,000 jobs in November, up 9,600, or two-tenths of a percentage point, from 3,974,400 in October. Over the year, Georgia gained 61,900 jobs, or 1.6 percent, from 3,922,100 in November 2011.