GDOL: jobs and workforce increase in Metro Dalton, unemployment rate also increases

Published 7:00 pm Thursday, December 28, 2017

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Metro Dalton’s jobs and labor force numbers grew in November.

Metro Dalton is Whitfield and Murray counties.

Meanwhile, unemployment insurance claims increased slightly.

“This is a very good jobs report,” Butler said. “The number of jobs continues to increase and people are getting those jobs. A temporary increase in claims doesn’t change our growing, dynamic economy. The long-term trends are good.”

Metro Dalton posted 70,500 jobs in November, up by 200 from a revised 70,300 in October. The job growth came in trade, transportation and warehousing.

Since November 2016, Metro Dalton has posted 400 new jobs, a 0.6 percent growth rate. Over-the-year job growth came in trade, transportation and warehousing, along with the goods-producing sector such as manufacturing and construction.

However, the number of employed residents declined by 94 in November. But from November a year ago, the number of employed residents was up by 1,021 from 58,697.

The area’s labor force, which includes the total number of residents with jobs and those unemployed but looking for work, was up by 181 in November. The labor force, at 63,071, is up by 731 since November 2016.

Unemployment claims were up by 35 percent to 1,015. Claims were up in manufacturing. When compared to last November, claims were up by 8.3 percent from 937.

The November unemployment rate, at 5.3 percent, was up from 4.9 percent in October. Still, the November rate compares favorably to last November when the rate was 5.8 percent.

Employ Georgia, the Georgia Department of Labor’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com, showed 462 new active job postings in Metro Dalton for November.

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 the department on social media.