Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Valdosta’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in the month of May.
 
In addition to a level unemployment rate, Valdosta posted modest increases in labor force and the number of employed residents. On the other hand, the four-county metropolitan statistical area saw an increase in the number of initial claims for unemployment and a slight decrease in jobs.
 
“Georgia’s employment numbers remain strong,” Butler said. “Across the state, the unemployment rate either remained steady or dropped.”
 
The May unemployment rate was unchanged from the previous month, remaining at 3.7 percent. The rate was 4.4 percent one year ago.  
 
The number of employed increased in May as Valdosta gained 124 employed residents. At 63,636 total employed residents, Valdosta is up by 1,646 for the year.
 
The labor force was also up in May, increasing 112 for the month to 66,047 and remaining up by 1,202 for the year.
 
Valdosta lost 200 jobs for the month, with total jobs settling at 56,800. Despite this month’s decrease, Valdosta remains up 500 jobs for the year.
 
Initial claims for unemployment grew by about 37 percent for the month but are down by about 12 percent for the year.
 
The four-county MSA includes Brooks, Echols, Lanier and Lowndes counties.