The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Columbus’ unemployment rate for February was 6.8 percent, unchanged from January. The rate in February 2015 was 7.2 percent.

While the rate was unchanged, the number of jobs in Columbus decreased by 200, or 0.2 percent, to 121,000 from 121,200 in January. Most of the decrease came in local government and retail trade. 

However, over the year, Columbus gained 400 jobs, a 0.3 percent growth rate, up from 120,600 in February 2015 Most of the job gains came in trade, transportation and warehousing. 

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance decreased by 744, or 48.5 percent, to 789 in February. Most of the decrease came in manufacturing and construction, accommodations and food services, and administrative and support services, and arts, entertainment and recreation. Also, over the year, claims were down by 60, or 7.1 percent, from 849 in February 2015.      

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.6 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha and River Valley regions had the highest at 7.1 percent.  

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for February was 5.4 percent, unchanged from January. It was 6.2 percent in February 2015.