Unemployment numbers down, slightly

ATLANTA - Unemployment numbers went down in Georgia last month, however slightly.

The Georgia Department of Labor reported Thursday that the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 10.2 percent in August from a revised 10.3 percent in July.

The August jobless rate was up 3.8 percentage points from 6.4 percent this time last year. Georgias unemployment rate remained above the national rate of 9.7 percent for the 22nd consecutive month.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says the reduction was primarily due to work force shrinkage.

The number of payroll jobs in August decreased 238,200 from August of 2008. The over-the-year losses came in trade, transportation and warehousing, manufacturing, professional and business services.