Georgia Regional Commissions See Rise in May Unemployment

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced that all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported a rise in May unemployment rates.

“We are witnessing a shift within Georgia’s retail sector and several major industries as companies change the way they do business,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “Alongside these industry changes, there is a growing influx of students and recent college graduates entering the job market, pursuing both temporary and full-time employment. This seasonal increase in workforce participation significantly impacts summertime unemployment rates across communities statewide.”

See a synopsis of each regional commission below:

Atlanta Regional Commission

• The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 12,371 over-the-month and up 59,063 over-the-year, to 2,718,047.
• The number of employed was down 1,692 over-the-month and up 53,228 over-the-year, to 2,626,543.
• Initial claims were down 413 (-4%) over-the-month and down 1,699 (-15%) over-the-year, to 9,545.

Central Savannah River

• The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 4.2 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.1 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 1,707 over-the-month and up 3,328 over-the-year, to 211,162.
• The number of employed was down 3,033 over-the-month and up 2,861 over-the-year, to 202,206.
• Initial claims were up 134 (14%) over-the-month and up 6 (1%) over-the-year, to 1,123.

Coastal Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up seven-tenths to 3.2 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.1 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 3,749 over-the-month and up 10,060 over-the-year, to 358,796, an all-time high
• The number of employed was up 1,364 over-the-month and up 9,560 over-the-year, to 347,372, an all-time high.
• Initial claims were down 184 (-17%) over-the-month and down 113 (-11%) over-the-year, to 923.

Georgia Mountains

• The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 2.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.8 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 3,033 over-the-month and up 9,233 over-the-year, to 256,904.
• The number of employed was up 1,264 over-the-month and up 8,617 over-the-year, to 249,406.
• Initial claims were up 41 (7%) over-the-month, and up 83 (15%) over-the-year, to 649.  

Heart of Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up eight-tenths to 4.0 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.9 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,535 over-the-month and up 2,530 over-the-year, to 122,128.
• The number of employed was up 534 over-the-month and up 2,269 over-the-year, to 117,247.
• Initial claims were down 15 (-2%) over-the-month, and down 109 (-15%) over-the-year, to 631.

Middle Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up eight-tenths to 3.8 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.7 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 2,094 over-the-month and up 4,380 over-the-year, to 219,658.
• The number of employed was up 399 over-the-month and up 3,995 over-the-year, to 211,340.
• Initial claims were up 83 (10%) over-the-month and down 596 (-39%) over-the-year, to 916.

Northeast Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up seven-tenths to 3.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.1 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,824 over-the-month and up 10,580 over-the-year, to 339,651, an all-time high.
• The number of employed was down 416 over-the-month and up 9,617 over-the-year, to 328,587, an all-time high.
• Initial claims were up 89 (10%) over-the-month and down 26 (-3%) over-the-year, to 1,012.

Northwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.1 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 2,126 over-the-month and up 12,958 over-the-year, to 448,404, an all-time high.
• The number of employed was down 116 over-the-month and up 11,766 over-the-year, to 433,575, an all-time high.
• Initial claims were down 1,127 (-40%) over-the-month and down 585 (-26%) over-the-year, to 1,679.

River Valley

• The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 4.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,042 over-the-month and up 2,939 over-the-year, to 146,399.
• The number of employed was up 42 over-the-month and up 2,832 over-the-year, to 140,336.
• Initial claims were down 35 (-6%) over-the-month and down 270 (-34%) over-the-year, to 520. 

Southern Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up eight-tenths to 3.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.5 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 977 over-the-month and up 298 over-the-year, to 180,889.
• The number of employed was down 425 over-the-month and down 72 over-the-year, to 174,180.
• Initial claims were down 35 (-5%) over-the-month and down 89 (-12%) over-the-year, to 673.

Southwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up seven-tenths to 3.8 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.7 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,022 over-the-month and up 1,231 over-the-year, to 147,817.
• The number of employed was down 7 over-the-month and up 964 over-the-year, to 142,181.
• Initial claims were up 102 (18%) over-the-month and up 32 (5%) over-the-year, to 677. 

Three Rivers

• The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 3.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,824 over-the-month and up 5,852 over-the-year, to 265,089, an all-time high.
• The number of employed was up 93 over-the-month and up 5,393 over-the-year, to 256,284.
• Initial claims were down 111 (-11%) over-the-month and down 295 (-26%) over-the-year, to 861.