Unemployment in Georgia fell below 10 percent for the first time in nearly two years last month as the Peach State added 30,100 jobs in April.
The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that the state's jobless rate declined to 9.9 percent in April, down one-tenth of a percentage point, from a revised 10 percent in March. The state's jobless rate was 10.1 percent in April a year ago.
"Not only is this the first time in nearly two years that Georgia's unemployment rate has dipped into the single digits, but this is also the third consecutive month of job growth," Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said. "This developing trend shows increasing confidence in the economy."
The last time the state's rate was below 10 percent was in June 2009, when it was 9.8 percent.
Georgia's 9.9 percent jobless rate in April was still well above the U.S. rate of 9 percent last month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. April marked the 43rd consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate.
Compared with April 2010, Georgia's employment last month was up a scant 0.1 percent, or 2,200 jobs.