The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that Metro Columbus’ unemployment rate decreased to 7.6 percent in March, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 7.7 percent in February. The rate was 8.4 percent in March a year ago.

The rate declined because Columbus employers created more jobs and laid off fewer workers.

The number of jobs increased to 121,100 in March, up by 400, or 0.3 percent, from 120,700 in February. The job gains came mostly in leisure and hospitality and professional and business services. Over the year, the number of jobs increased by 600, or 0.5 percent, from 120,500 in March 2013. Most of the increase came in professional and business services, finance and insurance, and leisure and hospitality.

There were 723 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in March, a drop of 425 from 1,148 in February. Most of the decline in claims came in manufacturing, construction, and accommodations and food services. There were 973 claims in March 2013.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.1 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 9.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 7.0 percent, down from 7.1 percent in February. The rate was 8.4 percent in March a year ago.