CANTON — Cherokee County’s unemployment rate dropped to 8.4 percent in October, mirroring the decline in jobless residents throughout metro Atlanta.

The unemployment rate in Cherokee in September was 8.7 percent; the rate was 8.6 percent in the county during October last year.

The county’s unemployment rate remains the lowest in the area, with Fayette and Gwinett tying for second-lowest, at 8.8 percent.

Cherokee’s labor force increased slightly to 108,609 from 108,373 in August, also an increase from 107,114 in September 2010.

The number of employed individuals in the county increased slightly to 99,472, from 98,950 last month, also an increase from 97,870 in September of last year.

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said metro Atlanta’s unemployment rate declined to 9.9 percent in October, down from 10.2 percent in September, because of the upswing in available jobs — an increase of 13,900 employment opportunities within the last month. In October 2010, Atlanta was also 10.2 percent.

“Most of the growth was in the service-related industries, such as professional and business services, trade, transportation and warehousing, along with education and health services,” Butler said.

Peggy Feehery, Reinhardt University director of career services, said a recent survey of current students showed an increase in employment. Most work in service industries such as retail or food service, Feehery said.

Once they graduate, she said, they have recently had success in finding jobs related to sales, social media and Web development.

Lucylle Shelton, career services coordinator at Chattahoochee Technical College, said employers this fall have been posting jobs around campus.

“This fall, employers have posted jobs at CTC for the trades (HVAC, electrical, automotive, maintenance and electronics) and IT, as well as health care and early childhood education,” Shelton said. “These are the areas where our graduates have little problem finding jobs.”

Statewide, Georgia’s seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate also declined to 10.2 percent in October, down from 10.3 percent in September, also the same as October last year.

October is the 51st consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9 percent.

Other area unemployment rates include Bartow at 11.3 percent, Clayton at 12.3 percent, Cobb at 9.1 percent, DeKalb at 10.2 percent, Douglas at 10.8 percent, Fulton at 10.4 percent, Henry at 10.6 percent, Paulding at 10 percent, and Rockdale at 11.2 percent.