The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the seven-county Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 4.0% in September, unchanged from the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 3.8%.

“Unemployment in Georgia dropped across nearly every region in September," said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "As we approach the end of the year, we’re staying focused on keeping workers ready, businesses strong, and opportunity growing across the state.”

The labor force in Columbus was up 687 over the month and up 1,208 over the year, totaling 129,857.

Columbus finished the month with 124,710 employed residents, up 763 from August and up 999 from the same month last year.

Columbus ended September with 123,800 jobs. Job numbers decreased by 100 from the previous month and rose by 1,400 from the same time last year.

In September, initial unemployment claims increased by 5 over the month and decreased by 13 compared to the same month a year ago, totaling 370.