ATLANTA — Metro Hinesville’s unemployment rate increased to 8.4 percent in May, up 0.8 percent from 7.6 percent in April, the Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday.
The rate was 9 percent in May a year ago.
The rate increase was seasonal, as new graduates entered the labor force looking for full-time work, while other students searched for part-time summer jobs. The labor force rose by 144, up to 32,960 in May from 32,816 in April.
While the rate rose, the number of jobs increased by 100, or 0.5 percent, to 20,000 in May from 19,900 in April. Most of the job increases came in the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction.
Over the year, the number of jobs increased by 400, or
2 percent, from 19,600 in May 2013. The job gainers were in the service-related industries and the goods-producing sector. Government lost 500 jobs.
Also, there were 158 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in May, a decrease of 29, or 15.5 percent, from 187 in April. Most of the decrease in claims came in manufacturing, administrative and support services, and trade, transportation and warehousing. There were 215 claims filed in May 2013.
Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for May was 7.2 percent, up from 6.9 percent in April. The rate was 8.4 percent in May a year ago. Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.7 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 9.8 percent.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.employgeorgia.com.