By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Georgia's initial unemployment insurance claims down in May, up for year
Placeholder Image
ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that 44,711 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in May, down 13.4 percent from April. Most of the decline in claims came in manufacturing industries.     
However, initial claims rose by 29.4 percent over the year, up from 34,543 in May of 2007. Initial claims are considered to be a good barometer of economic activity because they measure newly unemployed workers.    
Also, the total number of individuals receiving unemployment insurance benefits was up 37.4 percent over the year, from 54,580 in May of 2007 to 74,981 in May of 2008.  
The 14 metro areas of the state and the changes in their initial claims from April to May are as follows:

• Albany: down 112, or 14.2 percent, from 788 to 676.
• Athens: up 140, or 24.6 percent, from 570 to 710.
• Atlanta: down 894, or 4.4 percent, from 20,143 to 19,249.
• Augusta: up 294, or 25.3 percent, from 1,160 to 1,454.
• Brunswick: down 52, or 11.6 percent, from 447 to 395.
• Columbus: down six, or eight-tenths of one percent, from 764 to 758.
• Dalton: down 632, or 21 percent, from 3,009 to 2,377.
• Gainesville: down 36, or 5.4 percent, from 666 to 630.
• Hinesville: up eight, or 5.3 percent, from 151 to 159.
• Macon: down 123, or 9.4 percent, from 1,312 to 1,189.
• Rome: down 85, or 10 percent, from 847 to 762.
• Savannah: down 316, or 24.9 percent, from 1,271 to 955.
• Valdosta: up 210, or 34.3 percent, from 612 to 822.
• Warner Robins: down 115, or 23 percent, from 500 to 385.      

Georgia labor market data are not seasonally adjusted and are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.
Sign up for our e-newsletters