The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Valdosta’s unemployment rate for February was 5.6 percent, up three-tenths of a percentage point from 5.3 percent in January. The rate in February 2015 was 6.4 percent.

The rate rose because the number of unemployed residents rose by 168, as the labor force grew by 175. 

At the same time, the number of jobs in Valdosta increased by 700, or l.3 percent, to 55,500 from 54,800 in January. Most of the increase came in the service-related industries such as trade, transportation and warehousing, along with federal, state and local government. 

Over the year, Valdosta gained 900 jobs, a 1.7 percent growth rate, up from 54,600 in February 2015.  Most of the job gains came in the service-related industries, along with the federal government. 

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 295, or 55.6 percent, to 236 in February. Most of the decrease came in manufacturing and construction, along with arts, entertainment and recreation. And, over the year, claims were down by 39, or 14.2 percent, from 275 in February 2015.      

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.6 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha and River Valley regions had the highest at 7.1 percent.  

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for February was 5.4 percent, unchanged from January. It was 6.2 percent in February 2015.