Unemployment rates in Macon, Warner Robins unchanged in March

The unemployment rates for metro Macon and Warner Robins remained unchanged in March from February.

The rate in Macon for March and February was 6 percent, according to a release from the Georgia Department of Labor.

While the rate was unchanged, employers created 700 more jobs, pushing the total to 103,500, up from 102,800 in February.

Over the year, Macon has gained 2,400 jobs, a 2.4 percent growth rate, up from 101,100 in March 2015.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance increased by 83, or 14.3 percent, to 662 in March. Most of the increase came in manufacturing. Over the year, however, claims were down by 134, or 16.8 percent, from 796 in March 2015.

Macon’s labor force increased by 985 to 104,959.

The metro Warner Robins’ unemployment rate for March and February was 5.8 percent. The rate in March 2015 was 6 percent.

While the rate was unchanged, employers created 300 more jobs, pushing the total to 70,800, up from 70,500 in February.

Over the year, Warner Robins gained 900 jobs, a 1.3 percent growth rate, up from 69,900 in March 2015.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance increased by 101, or 31.3 percent, to 424 in March. Most of the increase came in manufacturing, professional and technical services, and health care and social assistance. Over the year, claims were down by four, or 0.9 percent, from 428 in March 2015.

Warner Robins’ labor force increased by 761 to 81,419.

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.5 percent, while the River Valley region had the highest at 6.9 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 5.5 percent, up from 5.4 percent in February. It was 6.2 percent in March 2015.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted.

Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.georgia.gov.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 12:37 PM with the headline "Unemployment rates in Macon, Warner Robins unchanged in March."