Metro Hinesville’s unemployment rate jumped two-tenths of a percent to 7.4 percent in May, but is still below the state average.
The Georgia Department of Labor reported last week that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the metro Hinesville area rose to 7.4 percent in May, up two-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 7.2 percent in April.
But that is more than two percentage points better than what GDOL reported statewide; 9.7 percent seasonally adjusted in May, the highest rate ever recorded in Georgia. The jobless rate was up five-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 9.2 percent in April
Coastal Georgia’s regional rate rose to 8.1 percent in May, up four-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 7.7 percent in April.
And metro Savannah’s unemployment rate rose to 8.0 percent last month, up four-tenths of a percent from a revised 7.6 percent in April.
The increased number of unemployed workers in May included many discouraged workers who re-entered the labor force, according to Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. In May, 463,883 unemployed Georgians were looking for work, an increase of 62 percent from May 2008. Of that number, 157,544, or 34 percent, are receiving state unemployment insurance benefits, while approximately another 90,000 are receiving federal extended benefits.
The May jobless rate was up 3.8 percentage points from 5.9 percent at this same time last year. Georgia’s unemployment rate remained above the national rate of 9.4 percent for the 19th consecutive month. The statewide number of payroll jobs in May decreased 217,000, or 5.2 percent, from May 2008.
The local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.
The Georgia Department of Labor reported last week that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the metro Hinesville area rose to 7.4 percent in May, up two-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 7.2 percent in April.
But that is more than two percentage points better than what GDOL reported statewide; 9.7 percent seasonally adjusted in May, the highest rate ever recorded in Georgia. The jobless rate was up five-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 9.2 percent in April
Coastal Georgia’s regional rate rose to 8.1 percent in May, up four-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 7.7 percent in April.
And metro Savannah’s unemployment rate rose to 8.0 percent last month, up four-tenths of a percent from a revised 7.6 percent in April.
The increased number of unemployed workers in May included many discouraged workers who re-entered the labor force, according to Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. In May, 463,883 unemployed Georgians were looking for work, an increase of 62 percent from May 2008. Of that number, 157,544, or 34 percent, are receiving state unemployment insurance benefits, while approximately another 90,000 are receiving federal extended benefits.
The May jobless rate was up 3.8 percentage points from 5.9 percent at this same time last year. Georgia’s unemployment rate remained above the national rate of 9.4 percent for the 19th consecutive month. The statewide number of payroll jobs in May decreased 217,000, or 5.2 percent, from May 2008.
The local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.