Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Dalton posted positive jobs numbers in June, despite an increase in the unemployment rate.
Dalton showed increases in the labor force, number of employed and jobs, and all indicators remain positive for the year for the two-county metropolitan statistical area.
During the month, the labor force grew faster than could be absorbed through hiring, causing the unemployment rate to rise. The commissioner remains confident about the overall job market.
“The Georgia job market is very strong,” said Commissioner Butler. “An uptick in the unemployment rate is common this time of year due to an increase in high school and college graduates entering the workforce.”
The labor force saw typical gains in June as students and recent graduates compete for summer employment. It grew by 836 to 62,585, a gain of 1,615 for the year.
As a result, the June unemployment rate increased to 4.8 percent, up .7 percent from the previous month but down from 5.5 percent one year ago.
Dalton gained 500 jobs for the month, its total growing to 68,500. This puts Dalton up 1,100 jobs for the year.
The number of employed also increased in June, gaining 380 employed residents. At 59,606 total employed residents, Dalton is up by 2,002 for the year.
Initial claims for unemployment fell by about 18 percent for the month and are down by about 36 percent from last year.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 410 active job postings in metro Dalton for June.
The MSA includes Murray and Whitfield counties.
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.