ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the preliminary unemployment rate in metro Albany rose to 9.5 percent in May, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 9.4 percent in April. The rate was 10.1 percent in May 2011.
The rate increased because the labor force grew by 2,172 job seekers, and while most found jobs within the month, 292 did not. Also, there were 92 new layoffs in construction, wholesale trade, administrative and support services, and accommodations and food services.
The preliminary unemployment rate in the Southwest Georgia area rose to 9.1 percent in May, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 9.0 percent in April. The rate was 9.7 percent in May 2011.
Metro Athens had the lowest jobless area rate at 6.5 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 11.4 percent. Athens has had the lowest area rate, or tied for the lowest, each month since December 2009. Dalton has had the highest area rate since August 2011.
Meanwhile, Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.9 percent from April to May. The jobless rate was 9.8 percent in May a year ago. The number of jobs in the state grew to 3,944,900 in May, up by 16,400 from April and by 34,000 from May a year ago. In metro Albany, jobs rose to 60,600 in May, up by 1,300 over the month, but down by 200 over the year.
Local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us
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