The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the one-county Gainesville Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 2.7% in September, down three-tenths over the month. A year ago, the rate was 2.6%.

“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 Gainesville increased by 426 over the month and decreased by 244 over the year, to 109,367.

Gainesville finished the month with 106,410 employed residents. That number increased by 732 from the previous month and decreased by 336 from the same time a year ago.

Gainesville ended September with 108,300 jobs. That number was down 300 from the previous month and rose by 200 from the same time last year.

In September, initial unemployment claims increased by 92 from the previous month and by 122 from the same month a year ago, totaling 434.