August 2019: Bartow County lowers claims

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Bartow County had fewer initial claims for unemployment filed in August.

At the same time, the annual numbers for labor force and employed residents increased in August, preliminary numbers show.

“Georgia had another strong month in August,” said Butler. “The state set several records. Our local communities saw fewer unemployment claims filed as well as a drop in unemployment rates.”

Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged in August at 3.7 percent. The nation also grew its labor force, increased the number of employed residents and added more 130,000 jobs.

Georgia’s unemployment rate also held constant in August, staying at 3.6 percent.  A year ago, Georgia’s unemployment rate sat at 3.8 percent. The state’s all-time low of 3.4 percent was set in December 2000.

Rates fell or held steady across 10 of Georgia’s 12 planning regions.

In the county, the unemployment rate stayed flat in August, settling at 3.5 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.8 percent.

The labor force in Bartow County decreased by 399 in August, bringing the total to 50,105. The number has risen by 326 when compared to the same month a year ago.

Bartow County lost 397 employed residents in August, bringing the total to 48,337. The number is up 465 for the year.

Claims for unemployment insurance were down by about 30 percent in August. They were down by about 21 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.