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Hall jobless rate rises to 4.3 percent
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Metro Gainesville’s unemployment rate in June was 4.3 percent, up from 3.9 in May, according to Georgia Department of Labor figures released Thursday. The figures include all of Hall County.

The rate rose because of several factors: the number of unemployed residents increased as the labor force grew, as well as a loss of jobs and an increase in layoffs as measured by initial claims for unemployment insurance.

The number of unemployed increased by 389 to 4,238. There were 294 fewer unemployed than in June 2016, when the rate was 4.7 percent.

The labor force increased partially because high school and college students entered the job market. From May to June, the labor force, which consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed and actively looking for jobs, increased by 146 to 99,483. Compared to June a year ago, the labor force had a net increase of 3,944.

There were 243 fewer metro Gainesville residents employed in June than in May, lowering the total number to 95,245. However, there was an increase of 4,238 in the number of employed residents from 91,007 in June 2016.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance increased by 141, or 40.2 percent, to 492. Most of the increase came in trade, transportation and warehousing, along with administrative and support services and construction. Over the year, claims were down by 149, or 23.2 percent, from 641 in June 2016.

The number of jobs in metro Gainesville decreased by 400, or 0.4 percent, to 89,500. The job losses came in trade, transportation and warehousing, along with state government, and the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction.

However, over the year, a total of 3,500 jobs were added, a 4.1 percent growth rate, up from 86,000 in June 2016. The job growth came in the service industries, state and local government, and the goods-producing sector.

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.3 percent, while the River Valley region had the highest at 6.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June was 4.8 percent, down from 4.9 percent in May. It was 5.3 percent in June 2016.