Unemployment Rate in Metro Athens, Ga., Rises Slightly, Remains Lowest in State
A loss of holiday jobs and layoffs account for the increase.
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 …
