The county's unemployment rate was 8.4 percent, down from March's 8.7 percent and the April 2010 rate of 8.7 percent.
The county ranks second lowest in the metro Atlanta area for unemployment. Fayette County has the lowest rate at 8.3 percent.
Cherokee's labor force in April was 107,223, down slightly from 107,539 in March and down from 108,363 in April 2010.
The county's employment number also dipped slightly to 98,220 in April, from 98,225 in March. In April 2010, the employment number was 98,891.
The metro Atlanta unemployment rate also declined to 9.7 percent in April, the same rate it was in April 2010, but down slightly from 9.8 percent in March. The state's unemployment rate also dropped to 9.9 percent in April from 10 percent in March and 10.1 percent in April 2010.
It's the first time in nearly two years that the state's unemployment rate fell below double digits. The last time the state's unemployment rate fell below 10 percent was in June 2009, when the rate checked in at 9.8 percent.
"This developing trend shows increasing confidence in the economy," said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler in a press release.
Steve Holcomb, president of United Community Bank in Canton, said the drop in the county's rate is a sign of things starting to turn around for the better.
"A lot of positive things are trying to happen," he said.
Holcomb, vice chairman of the Development Authority of Cherokee County, said the economic recovery will not be led by the real estate industry, which is why the recovery is moving at a much slower pace.
In the county, Holcomb said some of its existing industries such as Chart Industries and Belnick recently expanded and are adding jobs. He also said the county is seeing smaller industries add jobs.
Holcomb added the Cherokee Office of Economic Development has had about 18 new prospects express interest in relocating to the county.
Holcomb, however, noted that a full recovery won't happen any time soon.
"It's going to be very gradual," he said, adding he hoped to see the decline continue.
Other metro Atlanta unemployment rates include: Bartow at 10.3 percent; Clayton, 11.8 percent; Cobb, 9.1 percent; DeKalb, 9.9 percent; Fulton, 10 percent; Gwinnett, 8.7 percent; Henry, 9.9 percent; Paulding, 9.9 percent; and Rockdale, 11.1 percent.
What may I ask are the growth assumptions for the population in Cherokee county? If you think the population of the county is growing but fewer people are working this report is extremely negative as the county would need to create about 400 news jobs a month (assuming a 5% annual growth rate in the working population) just to keep a flat unemployment rate and we showed net job losses.
These numbers continue to be very negative and show no recovery in place at all.
In another recent article, the school board wants a 1% sales tax passed by the voters to build new schools in a county were fewer people are working and possibly living.
Wake up folks!