The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the two-county Dalton Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded month over month growth of its labor force and an unemployment rate of 4.0%, down two-tenths over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 3.6%.
“Georgia’s latest labor market data shows continued growth in both the labor force and employment as more Georgians are working and stepping into opportunity across the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "That matters because when more people are working, businesses gain access to talent, families gain stability, and Georgia is better positioned to compete, win and adapt in today’s global economy.”
The labor force in Dalton was up by 629 over the month and ended February at 65,967. That number decreased by 519 compared to the same time last year.
Dalton finished the month with 63,313 employed residents, an increase of 720 over the month and decreased by 764 from the same time a year ago.
Dalton ended February with 65,800 jobs. That number increased by 400 from the previous month and decreased by 1,700 from the previous year.
In February, initial unemployment claims decreased by 2,594 over the month and increased by 59 compared to the same month a year ago, totaling 620.