November unemployment rates decline in Macon, Warner Robins

The unemployment rate for November in Macon's metropolitan area was 5.8 percent, down from 6.4 percent in October. The rate in November 2014 was 6.9 percent.

November's rate is at its lowest point since May 2008 when it was 5.7 percent, according to a news release from the Georgia Department of Labor.

The rate declined as employers created 700 jobs in November, due largely to holiday hiring. The number of jobs increased to 102,800 from 102,100 in October.

However, over the year, Macon lost 800 jobs, down from 103,600 in November 2014. Most of the job losses came in wholesale and retail trade and professional and business services.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 32, or 3.6 percent, to 918 in November. Most of the increase came in construction. Over the year, claims were up by 255, or 38.5 percent, from 663 in November 2014.

The metro Warner Robins' unemployment rate for November was 5.6 percent, down from 6.6 percent in October. The rate in November 2014 was 6.6 percent.

At 5.6 percent, Warner Robins' rate is at its lowest point since June 2008 when it was 5.5 percent.

There was an increase of 100 jobs in November, due largely to holiday hiring. The number of jobs increased to 70,200 from 70,100 in October.

However, over the year, Warner Robins lost 800 jobs, down from 71,000 in November 2014.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 669, or 53.8 percent, to 574 in November. Most of the decrease came in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were up by 183, or 46.8 percent, from 391 in November 2014.

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.2 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 6.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for November was 5.6 percent, down from 5.7 percent in October. It was 6.7 percent in November 2014.

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

To contact writer Linda S. Morris, call 744-4223 or follow her on Twitter@MidGaBiz.

This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 10:56 AM with the headline "November unemployment rates decline in Macon, Warner Robins ."