Unemployment Rate Increases in Metro Area

Preliminary numbers indicate the metro Atlanta area lost ground last month in terms of the unemployment rate.

According to State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler, the unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Atlanta increased to 10.5 percent in June up from a revised May rate of 9.7 percent. The June rate is also higher than the 10.3 percent jobless rate in June of 2010.

“The increase was caused primarily by two seasonal factors,” Butler said in a released statement. “There were layoffs among non-contract public school employees, such as bus drivers and janitorial workers, and an increase in the labor force, as students began looking for permanent or part-time jobs.”

In Atlanta, a net loss of 4,600 jobs was recorded primarily in manufacturing, trade, administrative and support services, and health care and social assistance.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 9.9 percent in June, up from a revised 9.8 percent in May. A year ago, the state’s jobless rate was 10 percent.

In Forsyth County the unemployment rate was 8.1 percent in June. This number represents residents who are 16 years and older with 86,062 making up the labor force in the county and 79,093 who are employed.

"There are 6,969 unemployed residents who are actively seeking a job, but not necessarily drawing unemployment," said John Ard, spokesperson with the Georgia Department of Labor.

For 47 consecutive months, Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate. In June, that rate stood at 9.2 percent.

More information is available at www.dol.state.ga.us