Georgia Regional Commissions See Slight Rise In May Unemployment

The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that unemployment increased slightly in all 12 of Georgia’s regional commissions in May.

“Georgia's strength isn't measured in single months — it's proven over time," said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "Even with slight unemployment increases throughout Georgia's regions in May, most of our metropolitan areas are showing lower unemployment than a year ago. That resilience reflects our modern, adaptive workforce, which is what keeps Georgia the No. 1 state for business in today's competitive, global marketplace.”

Please see a synopsis of each regional commission below:

Atlanta Regional Commission

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.3% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago.
• The labor force was up 814 over-the-month and down 14,466 over-the-year, to 2,691,717.
• The number of employed was down 4,468 over-the-month and down 9,867 over-the-year, to 2,603,766.
• Initial claims were down 1,033 over-the-month and up 213 over-the-year, to 9,758.

Central Savannah River

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 4% over-the-month. The rate was 4.3% one year ago.
• The labor force was down 4,167 over-the-month and down 2,154 over-the-year, to 207,683.
• The number of employed was down 4,604 over-the-month and down 1,349 over-the-year, to 199,476.
• Initial claims were down 41 over-the-month and down 331 over-the-year, to 792.

Coastal Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.1% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
  The labor force was up 20 over-the-month and down 3,335 over-the-year, to 353,880.
• The number of employed was down 1,203 over-the-month and down 2,484 over-the-year, to 343,056.
• Initial claims were down 104 over-the-month and down 47 over-the-year, to 876.

Georgia Mountains

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3% over-the-month. The rate was 3.2% one year ago.
• The labor force was down 339 over-the-month and down 993 over-the-year, to 242,032.
• The number of employed was down 1,203 over-the-month and down 559 over-the-year, to 234,799.
• Initial claims were down 44 over-the-month, and down 47 over-the-year, to 602.

Heart of Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.8% over-the-month. The rate was 4.1% one year ago.
• The labor force was down 1,312 over-the-month and down 2,634 over-the-year, to 115,544.
• The number of employed was down 1,821 over-the-month and down 2,176 over-the-year, to 111,200.
• Initial claims were down 67 over-the-month, and down 174 over-the-year, to 457.

Middle Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.8% one year ago.
• The labor force was down 927 over-the-month and down 1,246 over-the-year, to 221,115.
• The number of employed was down 1,723 over-the-month and down 654 over-the-year, to 213,312.
• Initial claims were up 35 over-the-month and down 97 over-the-year, to 819.

Northeast Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.1% over-the-month, The rate was 3.3% one year ago.

• The labor force was down 1,116 over-the-month and down 1,241 over-the-year, to 346,924.
• The number of employed was down 2,033 over-the-month and down 566 over-the-year, to 336,022.
• Initial claims were down 129 over-the-month and down 82 over-the-year, to 930.

Northwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 3.2% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
• The labor force was down 561 over-the-month and down 1,640 over-the-year, to 453,425.
• The number of employed was down 1,644 over-the-month and down 1,000 over-the-year, to 439,104.
• Initial claims were down 676 over-the-month and down 152 over-the-year, to 1,527.

River Valley

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 4% over-the-month. The rate was 4.1% one year ago.
• The labor force was down 482 over-the-month and down 2,560 over-the-year, to 143,265.
• The number of employed was down 1,031 over-the-month and down 2,386 over-the-year, to 137,463.
• Initial claims were down 196 over-the-month and up 109 over-the-year, to 629.

Southern Georgia

• The unemployment rate up four-tenths to 3.6% over-the-month. The rate was 3.8% one year ago.
• The labor force was down 1,871 over-the-month and down 4,741 over-the-year, to 172,336.
• The number of employed was down 2,409 over-the-month and down 4,257 over-the-year, to 166,163.
• Initial claims were down 93 over-the-month and down 94 over-the-year, to 579.

Southwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.7% over-the-month, The rate was 3.8% one year ago.
• The labor force was down 2,193 over-the-month and down 4,357 over-the-year, to 144,804.
• The number of employed was down 2,647 over-the-month and down 3,989 over-the-year, to 139,477.
• Initial claims were down 64 over-the-month and down 190 over-the-year, to 487.

Three Rivers

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
• The labor force was up 244 over-the-month and down 808 over-the-year, to 268,067.
• The number of employed was down 910 over-the-month and down 1,149 over-the-year, to 258,839.
• Initial claims were up 279 over-the-month and up 537 over-the-year, to 1,398.