The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the unemployment rate in the Northwest Georgia region in June was 5.6 percent, up nine-tenths of a percentage point from 4.7 percent in May. The rate in June 2015 was 6.2 percent.
The rate rose as the labor force increased by 5,389 to 406,397, as students and others entered the job market looking for work. The labor force consists of people employed and those who are unemployed but actively looking for jobs. The number of employed workers rose by 1,393, while the number of unemployed people increased by 3,996.
Meanwhile, the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 581, or 17.6 percent, to 2,713 in June. Most of the decrease came in manufacturing. However, over the year, claims were up by 24, or 0.9 percent, from 2,689 in June 2015.
Metro Dalton’s unemployment rate for June was 6.3 percent, up 1 percent from 5.3 percent in May. The rate in June 2015 was 6.8 percent.
The rate rose as the labor force increased by 712 to 61,455, as students and others entered the job market looking for work. The labor force consists of people employed and those who are unemployed but actively looking for jobs. The number of employed workers rose by 42, while the number of unemployed people increased by 670.
Also, the number of jobs decreased by 400, or 0.6 percent, to 68,600 in June. Most of the decrease came in manufacturing.
However, over the year, Dalton gained 500 jobs, a 0.7 percent growth rate, up from 68,100 in June 2015. Most of the job gains came in trade, transportation and warehousing, along with the goods-producing sector, which includes construction.
The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 142, or 17.8 percent, to 938 in June. Most of the increase came in manufacturing. And, over the year, claims were up by 307, or 48.7 percent, from 631 in June 2015.
Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.7 percent, while the Heart of Georgia/Altamaha region had the highest at 6.9 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June was 5.1 percent, down from 5.3 percent in May. It was 5.8 percent in June 2015.
Job seekers and employers are encouraged to use the GDOL’s online job listing service, www.employgeorgia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employees. In June, 2,425 new job openings in Northwest Georgia were posted on Employ Georgia. Throughout the state, 64,944 new job openings were posted.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.georgia.gov.
To learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers, and to connect with us on social media, visit www.dol.georgia.gov.