The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Augusta’s unemployment rate in June was 5.1 percent, up four-tenths of a percentage point from 4.7 percent in May. In June 2016, the rate was 5.8 percent. 

The rate rose as the labor force grew, partially because high school and college students entered the job market, which led to an increase in the number of unemployed residents. From May to June, the labor force, which consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed and actively looking for jobs, increased by 2,488 to 266,666. Compared to June a year ago, the labor force had a net increase of 2,887.

The number of unemployed increased by 1,304 to 13,699. There were 1,658 fewer unemployed than in June 2016.

Although the rate rose, there were still 1,184 more Metro Augusta residents employed in June than in May, pushing the total number to 252,967. The increase in the number of employed residents in June grew by 4,545 from June 2016.

The number of jobs in Metro Augusta increased by 1,000, or 0.4 percent, to 237,200. Most of the job growth came in leisure and hospitality and professional and business services. 

Over-the-year, a total of 3,200 jobs were added, a 1.4 percent growth rate, up from 234,000 in June 2016. Most of the job growth came in leisure and hospitality, education and health services, and trade, transportation and warehousing.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance, a measure of new layoffs, decreased by 93, or 7.1 percent, to 1,209. Most of the decrease came in health care and social assistance. Over the year, claims were up by 24, or 2 percent, from 1,185 in June 2016.

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.3 percent, while the River Valley region had the highest at 6.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June was 4.8 percent, down from 4.9 percent in May. It was 5.3 percent in June 2016.

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to use the GDOL’s online job listing service employgeorgia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employees. In June, 3,189 new job openings in Augusta were posted on Employ Georgia. Throughout the state, 71,261 new job openings were posted.

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