The unemployment rate in metro Gainesville rose to 6.1 percent in May up from 5.5 percent the month before, though still lower than the rate a year ago, 6.5 percent.

A news release from the Georgia Department of Labor attributes the increase to new graduates entering the market and looking for full-time work along with students searching for part-time summer jobs. The labor force rose by 1,198 from April to May to a total 92,705.

The number of jobs increased by 800, up to 79,400 in May, with the most increases in the transportation industry and local government. Since a year ago, the number of jobs is up 2.6 percent, or by 2,000 jobs, in those same areas, plus the retail trade.

There were 26.6 percent fewer claims for unemployment insurance filed in May, 424 claims, down from 578 in April. Most of that decrease came in manufacturing, according to the news release. There were 777 claims in May 2013.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in may was 7.2 percent, up from 6.9 percent in April but down from 8.4 percent a year ago. Local data are not seasonally adjusted.