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November 01, 2012 Forsyth County has continued a downward trend in its unemployment rate.
In Aug. figures were 6.8 percent.
A drop from June, which were at 7 percent.
Overall, the U.S. has an unemployment rate of 7.6 percent.
But the lowest month so far this year was in April, when unemployment was as low as 6.8 percent.
Forsyth County's unemployment rate is far lower than the Georgia Department of Labor's state's overall 9 percent unemployment and it's the second lowest rate for any county in the state.
The rate dropped because Georgia had the fewest new claims for unemployment insurance benefits in five years, before the start of the Great Recession, said Mark Butler Georgia Labor Commissioner.
Butler also said the number of manufacturing jobs has increased.
Forsyth County's unemployment rate a year ago was only slightly higher at 7.4 percent.
Forsyth County's unemployment rate peaked at 8.6 percent in October 2009.
While the unemployment rate is lower this year, the county's labor force has grown. Forsyth had 92,358 people in its labor force (persons 16 years and older) this July, an increase of 1,899 from a year ago.
But there still are 6,440 people out of work.
Oconee County, with a labor force of 19,077, has an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent, the lowest in the state.
The unemployment rates of neighboring counties has helped boost and concern the overall number.
Gainesville led the state with job gains during the past year, adding 3,200 since September 2011 — a 4.3 percent increase.
In Fulton County, the unemployment rate is still steep at 9.9 percent. View images.
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