The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that Metro Augusta’s unemployment rate in May was 4.7 percent, up two-tenths of a percentage point from 4.5 percent in April. In May 2016, the rate was 5.3 percent.

The rate rose as the number of jobs declined and there was an increase in layoffs as measured by initial claims for unemployment insurance.

The number of jobs in Metro Augusta decreased by 4,700, or 2 percent, to 236,200. The job losses came in leisure and hospitality, education and health services, and state government.

However, over-the-year, a total of 2,100 jobs were added, a 0.9 percent growth rate, up from 234,100 in May 2016. Job growth came in education and health services, state and local government, trade, transportation and warehousing, and the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance increased by 467, or 55.9 percent, to 1,302. Most of the increase came in health care and social assistance, administrative and support services, arts, entertainment and recreation, accommodations and food services, and information services. Over the year, claims were down by 96, or 6.9 percent, from 1,398 in May 2016.

From April to May, the labor force, which consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed and actively looking for jobs, declined by 4,299 to 264,305. There were 4,638 fewer residents employed than in April.

But, compared to May a year ago, the labor force had a net increase of 1,960. The number of employed grew by 3,293, and there were 1,333 fewer unemployed.

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 3.9 percent, while the River Valley region had the highest at 6 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for May was 4.9 percent, down from 5 percent in April. It was 5.3 percent in May 2016.

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to use GDOL’s online job listing service employgeorgia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employees. In May, 3,292 new job openings in Augusta were posted on Employ Georgia. Throughout the state, 70,120 new job openings were posted.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at dol.georgia.gov