The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the preliminary unemployment rate in metro Valdosta rose to 8.4 percent in May, up three-tenths of a percentage point from 8.1 percent in April. The rate was 8.9 percent in May 2011.

The rate increased because the labor force grew by 560 job seekers, and while most found jobs within the month, 268 did not. Also, there were 92 new layoffs in manufacturing, retail trade, and accommodations and food services.

Metro Athens had the lowest jobless area rate at 6.5 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 11.4 percent. Athens has had the lowest area rate, or tied for the lowest, each month since December 2009. Dalton has had the highest area rate since August 2011.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.9 percent from April to May. The jobless rate was 9.8 percent in May a year ago. The number of jobs in the state grew to 3,944,900 in May, up by 16,400 from April and by 34,000 from May a year ago. In metro Valdosta, jobs declined to 53,000 in May, down by 200 over the month, but up by 700 from May of last year.

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