Unemployment Rate in Metro Athens, Ga., Rises Slightly, Remains Lowest in State

The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the unemployment rate in metro Athens rose to 6.6 percent in January, up two-tenths of a percentage point from 6.4 percent in December. The rate was 7.1 percent in January 2012.

The rate rose because of two primary factors – a loss of seasonal jobs and an increase in new layoffs, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits.

The number of jobs declined by 1,500, or 1.7 percent, from 89,000 in December to 87,500 in January. However, metro Athens started the year with 1,200 more jobs in January than a year ago. Over the year, jobs were up by 1.4 percent, from 86,300 in January 2012. Job increases came mostly in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and state government.

The number of initial claims, tied to many of the seasonal layoffs, rose by 101, or 14.3 percent, from 708 to 809. Most of the claims were filed in construction, trade, transportation and warehousing, administrative and support services, health care and social assistance, and accommodations and food services. However, the number of initial claims is down by 210 from January a year ago.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.6 percent, while metro Dalton and the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region tied for the highest at 11.9 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January was 8.7 percent, unchanged from December. The rate was 9.3 percent in January a year ago.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted.

This information comes from a GDOL press release.