Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Carroll County’s unemployment claims spiked in March.

Due to the effects of COVID-19, all regions and counties throughout the state saw a dramatic incline in initial claims along with the unemployment rate.

“Although we are seeing the effects of COVID-19 throughout the state in spikes in unemployment, we are working very diligently to come up with solutions to get Georgians back to work as soon as it is safe to do so,” Butler said.

In Carroll County, the unemployment rate increased in March to 4.6 percent, an increase of 0.9 percentage points. A year ago, the rate was 3.6 percent.

The number of unemployment claims dramatically increased by 1,106 percent in March due to COVID-19 related temporary lay-offs. When compared to last March, claims were up by about 1,931 percent.

The labor force decreased in March by 282. The March total was 55,995. That number is up by 1,012 from the total from March 2018.

Carroll County ended March with 53,432 employed residents.  The number decreased by 742 in March and was up 441 as compared to last year.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 529 active job postings in Carroll County for March.

Visit gdol.ga.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia, and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers.  Don’t forget to connect with us on social media.

DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED. TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT: http://dol.georgia.gov/current-labor-force-data-and-graphs