Newton County's unemployment rate declined slightly, from 12.4 percent in January to 12.1 percent for February, according to information released Thursday from the Georgia Department of Labor.
The statewide unemployment rate was 10.2 percent for February, also down slightly for the month, from 10.3 percent in January. It was the 41st consecutive month that the state unemployment rate has exceeded the national average, which stands at 8.9 percent.
Initial claims for unemployment declined 40 percent in Newton County from January to February, and are down from a year ago. Statewide, initial claims for unemployment declined 38 percent from January to February, and declined 15.9 percent in the past year.