The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Valdosta’s unemployment rate for January was 5.4 percent, up three-tenths of a percentage point from 5.1 percent in December. The rate in January 2015 was 6.7 percent.

The rate rose as the number of jobs decreased and the number of new layoffs, as measured by unemployment insurance claims, increased. Much of the job loss and increase in claims is due to seasonal hiring for temporary jobs and the layoffs that follow it. 

The number of jobs in Valdosta decreased to 54,900, down by 900, or 1.6 percent, from 55,800 in December. Most of the decrease came in the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction, along with retail trade and state government.  

However, over the year, Valdosta gained 500 jobs, a 0.9 percent growth rate, up from 54,400 in January 2015. Most of the job gains came in the service-related industries such as trade, transportation and warehousing and the federal government. 

And, the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 105, or 24.6 percent, to 531 in January. Most of the increase came in arts, entertainment, recreation and construction. However, over the year, claims were down by 223, or 29.6 percent, from 754 in January 2015.      

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.5 percent, while Metro Dalton had the highest at 7.2 percent. 

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for January was 5.4 percent, down from 5.5 percent in December. It was 6.3 percent in January 2015.