The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Valdosta’s unemployment rate increased to 8.2 percent in June, up six-tenths of a percentage point from 7.6 percent in May. The rate was 8.8 percent in June a year ago.

The rate increased because of seasonal factors, such as the summer job loss among non-contract school workers and a rise in the labor force as graduates and students entered the job market.

Over the month, the number of jobs decreased by 1,400, or 2.6 percent, to 53,400 in June from 54,800 in May. Most of the job losses came in state education, trade and transportation, and the good-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction.

However, over the year, the number of jobs increased by 300, or 0.6 percent, from 53,100 in June 2013. Most of the job increases came in trade and transportation and state government.

Also, there were 333 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in June, a decrease of 123, or 27 percent, from 456 in May. Most of the decrease in claims came in accommodation and food services. There were 448 claims filed in June 2013.

The labor force decreased by 895 to 65,858 from 66,753 in May.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.3 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 10.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June was 7.4 percent, up from 7.2 percent in May. The rate was 8.4 percent in May a year ago.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.gdol.ga.gov.