The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that unemployment rates increased in all regional commissions in June even as the labor force grew in half of them. Coffee and Atkinson counties are in the Southern Georgia Regional Commission.
“June brings the temporary seasonal changes we see every year as schools let out for the summer, but as Georgia’s workforce continues to grow, our year-over-year trends remain stable,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Short-term fluctuations are normal in a resilient economy, and the bigger picture is clear: Georgia remains a state where opportunity is within reach, hard work is rewarded, and every Georgian has the chance to build a better life.”
Here is a synopsis of each regional commission:
Atlanta Regional Commission
- The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.5% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 10,770 over-the-month and up 38,310 over-the-year, to 2,753,386, an all-time high.
- The number of employed was up 1,622 over-the-month and up 38,564 over-the-year, to 2,657,406, an all-time high.
- Initial claims were up 1,482 over-the-month and up 113 over-the-year, to 9,998.
Central Savannah River
- The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 4.1% over-the-month. The rate was 4.2% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 131 over-the-month and up 4,426 over-the-year, to 216,267.
- The number of employed was down 804 over-the-month and up 4,493 over-the-year, to 207,390.
- Initial claims were up 171 over-the-month and down 140 over-the-year, to 877.
Coastal Georgia
- The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.3% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 394 over-the-month and up 5,488 over-the-year, to 372,233, an all-time high.
- The number of employed was down 1,344 over-the-month and up 5,335 over-the-year, to 359,931.
- Initial claims were up 167 over-the-month and up 27 over-the-year, to 932.
Georgia Mountains
- The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.3% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
- The labor force was down 247 over-the-month and up 3,252 over-the-year, to 248,264.
- The number of employed was down 1,442 over-the-month and up 3,119 over-the-year, to 240,119.
- Initial claims were up 291 over-the-month and up 176 over-the-year, to 837. .
Heart of Georgia
- The unemployment rate was up seven-tenths to 4.1% over-the-month. The rate was 4.2% one year ago.
- The labor force was down 1,533 over-the-month and up 2,477 over-the-year, to 119,116.
- The number of employed was down 2,273 over-the-month and up 2,468 over-the-year, to 114,231.
- Initial claims were up 36 over-the-month and down 25 over-the-year, to 545.
Middle Georgia
- The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.9% over-the-month. The rate was 3.9% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 392 over-the-month and up 1,762 over-the-year, to 226,788.
- The number of employed was down 780 over-the-month and up 1,582 over-the-year, to 217,935.
- Initial claims were up 115 over-the-month and down 12 over-the-year, to 770.
Northeast Georgia
- The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.5% one year ago.
- The labor force was down 132 over-the-month and up 7,675 over-the-year, to 359,059.
- The number of employed was down 2,028 over-the-month and up 7,510 over-the-year, to 346,458.
- Initial claims were up 63 over-the-month and up 37 over-the-year, to 942.
Northwest Georgia
- The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 882 over-the-month and up 7,391 over-the-year, to 460,744, an all-time high.
- The number of employed was down 994 over-the-month and up 7,254 over-the-year, to 445,054.
- Initial claims were up 619 over-the-month and down 57 over-the-year, to 1,808.
River Valley
- The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 4.2% over-the-month. The rate was 4.3% one year ago.
- The labor force was down 684 over-the-month and up 630 over-the-year, to 145,790.
- The number of employed was down 1,227 over-the-month and up 655 over-the-year, to 139,594.
- Initial claims were up 113 over-the-month and down 64 over-the-year, to 586.
Southern Georgia
- The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.9% over-the-month. The rate was 4.0% one year ago.
- The labor force was down 1,960 over-the-month and up 873 over-the-year, to 173,390.
- The number of employed was down 2,901 over-the-month and up 896 over-the-year, to 166,570.
- Initial claims were up 60 over-the-month and down 1 over-the-year, to 575
Southwest Georgia
- The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 4.0% over-the-month. The rate was 4.1% one year ago.
- The labor force was down 2,330 over-the-month and up 454 over-the-year, to 145,750.
- The number of employed was down 3,044 over-the-month and up 538 over-the-year, to 139,890.
- Initial claims were up 46 over-the-month and down 25 over-the-year, to 466.
Three Rivers
- The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.5% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 178 over-the-month and up 3,816 over-the-year, to 273,862, an-all-time high.
- The number of employed was down 896 over-the-month and up 3,624 over-the-year, to 264,175.
- Initial claims were up 506 over-the-month and up 342 over-the-year, to 1,427.