ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that the unemployment rate in the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region in June was 6.3 percent, up six-tenths of a percentage point from 5.7 percent in May. In June 2016, the rate was 6.8 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 740 to 7,474. There were 519 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 151 to 117,775. Compared to June a year ago, the labor force had a net increase of 1,007.

There were 589 fewer Heart of Georgia-Altamaha area residents employed in June than in May, lowering the total number to 110,301. However, there were 1,526 more employed residents in  June 2016.

The number of initial claims increased by 900, or 88.7 percent, to 1,915. The increase came in manufacturing and construction. Over the year, claims were up by 754, or 64.9 percent, from 1,161 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, 687 new job openings in

the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha 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 at dol.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.