ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that the unemployment rate in the Georgia Mountains region in June was 4.4 percent, up four-tenths of a percentage point from 4 percent in May. In June 2016, the rate was 4.9 percent.

The rate rose as the number of unemployed residents increased, the labor force grew and there was an increase in layoffs as measured by initial claims for unemployment insurance.

The number of unemployed increased by 1,374 to 14,897. There were 1,241 fewer unemployed than in June 2016.

The labor force increased, partially because high school and college students entered the job market. From May to June, the labor force, which consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed and actively looking for jobs, increased by 1,061 to 338,182. Compared to June a year ago, the labor force had a net increase of 11,454

There were 313 fewer Georgia Mountains area residents employed in June than in May, lowering the total number to 323,285. The increase in the number of employed residents in June grew by 12,695 from June 2016.

The number of initial claims increased by 120, or 12 percent, to 1,116. Most of the increase came in retail trade, along with health care, social assistance, educational services, and accommodations and food services. Over the year, claims were down by 302, or 21.3 percent, from 1,418 in June 2016.

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.3 percent, while the River Valley region had the highest at 6.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June was 4.8 percent, down from 4.9 percent in May. It was 5.3 percent in June 2016.

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to use the GDOL’s online job listing service employgeorgia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employees. In June, 2,374 new job openings in the Georgia Mountains region were posted on Employ Georgia. Throughout the state, 71,261 new job openings were posted.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available atdol.georgia.gov

Visit 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.

DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED, TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current-labor-force-data-and-grants 

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685