Unemployment rates drop in Macon, Warner Robins in April

The unemployment rates declined in the metropolitan areas of Macon and Warner Robins in April.

Macon’s unemployment rate for April was 5.4 percent, down from 6 percent in March, according to a release from the Georgia Department of Labor. The rate in April 2015 was 6.2 percent. The rate declined as the number of jobs increased by 400 to 103,700 in April. Most of the increase came in leisure, hospitality and retail trade.

Over the year, Macon gained 2,500 jobs, a 2.5 percent growth rate.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 88 to 574 in April. Most of the decrease came in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down by 264, or 31.5 percent, from 838 in April 2015.

Also, Macon’s labor force decreased by 981 to 103,703.

The metro Warner Robins unemployment rate for April was 5.3 percent, down from 5.8 percent in March. The rate in April 2015 also was 5.8 percent.

The rate declined as employers created more jobs and laid off fewer workers.

The number of jobs increased by 400 to 71,200 in April.

Over the year, Warner Robins also gained 400 jobs, up from 70,800 in April 2015. Most of the job gains came in retail trade and the goods-producing sector.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 123, or 29 percent, to 301 in April. Over the year, claims were down by 182 from 483 in April 2015.

Also, Warner Robins’ labor force decreased by 572 to 80,748.

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.2 percent, while the River Valley region had the highest at 6.4 percent.

Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 5.5 percent, unchanged from March. It was 6.1 percent in April 2015.

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said job seekers and employers should use the GDOL’s online job listing service, www.employgeorgia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employees.

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 12:57 PM with the headline "Unemployment rates drop in Macon, Warner Robins in April."