ATLANTA — Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has declined for the ninth consecutive month, state labor officials said Thursday.
Georgia's April jobless rate of 8.9 percent marks the first time in more than three years the rate has dropped below nine percent, Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said.
The state's unemployment rate was 9.8 percent in April a year ago.
"We now have the lowest unemployment rate, the fewest unemployed workers, and the most jobs in Georgia in more than three years," Butler said in a statement. "Our job market continues to improve at a modest and steady rate."
The last time Georgia's jobless rate was below nine percent was in February of 2009, when it was also 8.9 percent.
Industries showing growth included trade and transportation; leisure and hospitality; professional and business services; construction; and education and healthcare.
While the state gained jobs overall, state and local governments shed 3,300 jobs, state labor officials said.