The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that Metro Warner Robins’ unemployment rate decreased to 6.4 percent in February, down three-tenths of a percentage point from 6.7 percent in January. The rate was 7.3 percent in February a year ago.

The rate declined because there were 200, or 37.5 percent, fewer new layoffs, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance. There were 333 new claims filed in February, down from 533 in January. Most of the decline in claims came in manufacturing, retail trade, and administrative and support services. There were 399 claims in February 2013.

While the claims declined, the number of jobs decreased to 58,100, down by 100, or 0.2 percent, from 58,200 in January. There were 59,800 jobs in February 2013, 1,700, or 2.8 percent fewer than this past February. Most of the job loss came with the federal government, trade, transportation, and warehousing, along with the goods producing sector, including manufacturing and construction.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.1 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 9.7 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February was 7.1 percent, down from 7.3 percent in January. The rate was 8.5 percent in February a year ago.