The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the five-county Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 4.0% in September, down two-tenths over the month. A year ago, the rate was 4.1%.

“Unemployment in Georgia dropped across nearly every region in September," said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "As we approach the end of the year, we’re staying focused on keeping workers ready, businesses strong, and opportunity growing across the state.”

The labor force in Macon increased by 449 over the month and fell by 367 over the year, totaling 97,076.

Macon finished the month with 93,194 employed residents, up 642 from last month and down 251 from a year ago.

Macon ended September with 100,000 jobs, down 300 from the previous month and up 200 from the same time last year.

In September, initial unemployment claims in Macon decreased by 29 from the previous month and were down by 26 from the same month last year, totaling 333.