ATLANTA — The preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Gainesville was unchanged at 8.6 percent from August to September, the Georgia Department of Labor reported today.

The jobless rate in metro Gainesville in September a year ago was 8.8 percent.

Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.3 percent in September, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 10.2 percent in August. The state's jobless rate was also 10.2 percent in September a year ago.

The rate increased due to Georgia losing jobs in September and many new job seekers continuously being unable to find work. The number of jobs in Georgia decreased 15,100, or four-tenths of a percentage point, from August to 3,793,200. Most of the loss was among seasonal workers in leisure and hospitality.

September is the 50th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9.1 percent.

The jobless rate in the Georgia Mountains area fell to 8.9 percent in September, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 9.1 percent in August. The rate in the region a year ago was also 8.9 percent.

The lowest area rates, at 8 percent, were recorded in Athens and Warner Robins, while the highest, at 12.5 percent, was in metro Dalton.

Local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.