The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Columbus’ unemployment rate in June was 6 percent, up five-tenths of a percentage point from 5.5 percent in May. In June 2016, the rate was 6.6 percent.

The rate rose as the number of umemployed residents increased as the labor force grew, there was a loss of jobs, and an increase in layoffs as measured by initial claims for unemployment insurance.

The number of unemployed increased by 642 to 7,441. There were 650 fewer unemployed than in June 2016.

The labor force increased, partially because high school and college students entered the job market. From May to June, the labor force, which consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed and actively looking for jobs, increased by 300 to 124,162. Compared to June a year ago, the labor force had a net increase of 777.

There were 342 fewer Metro Columbus residents employed in June than in May, lowering the total number to 116,721. However, there was an increase of 1,427 in the number of employed residents from 115,294 June 2016.

The number of jobs in Metro Columbus decreased by 200, or 0.2 percent, to 120,800. The job losses came in state and local government and education and health services.

However, over-the-year, a total of 700 jobs were added, a 0.6 percent growth rate, up from 120,100 in June 2016. The job growth came in leisure and hospitality, education and health services and  financial activities.

The number of initial claims increased by 182, or 28 percent, to 832. Most of the increase came in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were up by 216, or 35.1 percent, from 616 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, 2,570 new job openings in Columbus 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