Fewer layoffs in the Macon and Warner Robins metro areas brought a dip in September’s unemployment rates.

The preliminary unemployment rate in metro Macon was 9.1 percent in September, down from a revised 9.6 percent in August, according to a news release from the Georgia Department of Labor.

The rate was down from 10.2 percent in September 2011.

In the Warner Robins area, the preliminary unemployment rate was 7.2 percent in September, down from a revised 7.6 percent in August. The rate was 7.9 percent for the same month last year, the report stated.

In metro Macon, the number of jobs increased to 97,300 in September, up by 200 from August, and up by 1,600 from 95,700 in September 2011.

In Warner Robins, the number of jobs decreased to 58,900 in September, down by 100 from August, but up by 200 from 58,700 in September 2011.

Metro Athens continued to have the lowest area jobless rate at 6.4 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 11.2 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 9 percent in September, down from 9.2 percent in August. The jobless rate was 9.8 percent in September a year ago.

While the state lost 400 jobs from August to September, it actually gained 61,800 jobs since September of 2011, the report stated.

Staff writer Linda S. Morris contributed to this report.