The Georgia Department of Labor announced on Thursday that the unemployment rate in the Northwest Georgia region in July was 6.5 percent, up two-tenths of a percentage point from 6.3 percent in June. The rate in July 2014 was 8.4 percent.
The rate rose as more job seekers entered the labor, and until they find work they’re counted as unemployed. At the same time, the number of new layoffs, as measured by initial claims for unemployment insurance, also increased.
The labor force in the Northwest Georgia region grew by 1,845 in July to 398,267.
The number of initial claims filed in the Northwest Georgia area for unemployment insurance increased by 946, or 35.2 percent, to 3,636 in July. Most of the increase came in manufacturing and administrative and support services. Over the year, claims were down by 1,854, or 33.8 percent, from 5,489 in July 2014.
Metro Dalton’s unemployment rate for July was 7.4 percent, up six-tenths of a percentage point from 6.8 percent in June. The rate in July 2014 was 9.5 percent.
The rate rose as the number of new layoffs increased and the number of jobs declined.
The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance, a measure of new layoffs, rose by 629, or 99.7 percent, to 1,260 in July. Most of the increase came in temporary claims filed in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down by 369, or 22.7 percent, from 1,629 in July 2014.
The number of jobs in Dalton decreased by 200, or 0.3 percent, in July to 68,100. The job losses came in transportation and warehousing, local government and construction.
However, there was an over-the-year gain of 1,900 jobs, or 2.9 percent, from July 2014. Most of the job growth came in manufacturing, along with trade, transportation and warehousing.
Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.5 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 8.3 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for July was 6.0 percent, down from 6.1 percent in June. It was 7.2 percent in July 2014.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available atwww.gdol.ga.gov Connect with us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter @GeorgiaDOL, which can be easily accessed via our website at www.gdol.ga.gov.