Statewide, Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in December for the third straight month, dropping to 9.7 percent. (GPB File Photo.)
In metro Atlanta, the rate increased to 9.4 percent in December.
The Georgia Department of Labor said the new figure is up two-tenths of a percentage point from 9.2 percent in November. The jobless rate in metro Atlanta in December a year ago was 10.1 percent.
Labor officials said the rate increased because of layoffs in construction, manufacturing, retail trade, administrative and support services, and accommodations and food services.
The local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.
Statewide, Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in December for the third straight month, dropping to 9.7 percent.
