Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Dalton recorded an unemployment rate of 5 percent in January, up nine-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 4.1 percent. Due to seasonal factors from December to January, data that is not seasonally adjusted typically shows an increase in unemployment – a seasonal trend that happens each year.
“Despite a nationwide pandemic and challenging economic times, continued investments in Georgia’s labor force and thriving business community have kept our economy strong,” said Commissioner Thompson. “As labor commissioner, it is my No. 1 priority to help more Georgians get back to work and fill the jobs that our businesses need.”
The labor force increased in Dalton by 648 and ended the month with 58,984. That number decreased by 126 when compared to January of 2022.
Dalton finished the month with 56,027 employed residents. That number increased by 55 over the month and went down by 634 when compared to the same time a year ago.
Dalton ended January with 67,200 jobs. That number went down by 500 from December to January and increased by 1,000 when compared to this time last year.
The number of unemployment claims went up by 14 percent in Dalton in January. When compared to last January, claims were up by about 296 percent.