ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor announced last week that Metro Hinesville’s unemployment rate for April was 5.3 percent, down 0.6 percentage point from March. The rate in April 2015 was 6 percent.
The rate declined as the number of jobs increased by 100, or 0.5 percent, to 19,800 in April. Most of the increase came in the service-related industries such as trade, transportation and warehousing. However, over the year, the number of jobs was unchanged, at 19,800, in Metro Hinesville, which the U.S. Census Bureau defines as Liberty and Long counties and Fort Stewart.
The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by eight, or 6 percent, to 142 in April. Most of the increase came in retail trade, accommodations and food services. However, over the year, claims were down by three, or 2.1 percent, from 145 in April 2015.
Also, Metro Hinesville’s labor force decreased by 331 to 31,951.
The unemployment rate in the Coastal Georgia region, which is 10 counties that include Liberty and Long, declined to 4.9 percent in April, down 0.4 percentage point from March. The rate in April 2015 was 5.6 percent.
The rate declined as the number of employed residents increased by 484 to 303,085, and the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 92, or 6.5 percent, to 1,318 in April. Most of the decrease came in retail trade, accommodations and food services. And, over the year, claims were down by 12, or 0.9 percent, from 1,330 in April 2015.
Also, Coastal Georgia’s labor force decreased by 904 to 318,714.
Metro Gainesville had the state’s lowest area jobless rate at 4.2 percent, while the River Valley region had the highest at 6.4 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 5.5 percent, unchanged from March. It was 6.1 percent in April 2015.
State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said job seekers and employers should use the GDOL’s online job listing service, www.employgeor gia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employees. In April, 242 jobs in Hinesville were posted on Employ Georgia. Throughout the state, 71,092 jobs were posted.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.georgia.gov.