October unemployment rates up slightly in Macon, Warner Robins

The unemployment rates in Macon and Warner Robins rose somewhat in October from September.

The unemployment rate for metro Macon was 6.4 percent in October from 6.3 percent in September, according to a news release from the Georgia Department of Labor. The rate in October 2014 was 7.5 percent.

The rate rose as the labor force and number of new layoffs increased.

Macon's labor force rose by 815 in October to 102,049 from 101,234 in September, as more people entered the job market looking for work.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance, a measure of new layoffs, increased by 152 to 886 in October. Most of the increase in Macon was due to temporary layoffs in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down 20.2 percent, from 1,110 in October 2014.

While the rate rose, the number of jobs in Macon increased by 1,500 in October to 102,800. Over the year, Macon gained 600 jobs from October 2014.

In the metro Warner Robins area, the October unemployment rate was 6.6 percent, up from 6.1 percent in September, according to the release. The rate in October 2014 was 7.2 percent.

The rate rose as the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance in Warner Robins increased by 740 to 1,243 in October. Most of the increase was due to temporary claims filed in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were up by 533 from 710 in October 2014.

While the rate rose, the number of jobs in Warner Robins increased by 200 in October to 69,900. Over the year, Warner Robins lost 900 jobs, down from 70,800 in October 2014.

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.7 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 7.3 percent.

Meanwhile, the state's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for October was 5.7 percent, down from 5.8 percent in September. It was 6.8 percent in October 2014.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.georgia.gov.