Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that all Georgia regional commissions recorded a rise in the unemployment rate in January. Due to seasonal factors from December to January, data that is not seasonally adjusted typically shows an increase in unemployment – a seasonal trend that happens each year.

“Despite a nationwide pandemic and challenging economic times, continued investments in Georgia’s labor force and thriving business community have kept our economy strong,” said commissioner Bruce Thompson. “As labor commissioner, it is my no. 1 priority to help more Georgians get back to work and fill the jobs that our businesses need.”

The labor force rose in all regional commissions except for the Central Savannah River Regional Commission, which saw a decreased labor force in January.

Northwest Georgia regional commission – Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield counties.

The unemployment rate was up seven-tenths to 3.6 percent o-t-m, the rate was 3.4 percent one year ago.

    the labor force was up by 2,006 o-t-m and up by 5,255 o-t-y, to 432,744, an all-time high.

    the number of employed was down by 1,017 o-t-m and up by 4,161 o-t-y, to 417,152.

    initial claims were up by 2,290 (31%) o-t-m and up by 6,190 (183%) o-t-y, to 9,572.

Three rivers regional commission – Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, and Upson counties.

the unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 3.3 percent o-t-m, the rate was 3.4 percent one year ago.

    the labor force was up by 1,286 o-t-m and up by 1,960 o-t-y, to 257,681, an all-time high.

    the number of employed was down by 391 o-t-m and up by 2,181 o-t-y, to 249,164.

    initial claims were up by 1,961 (162%) o-t-m and up by 1,678 (112%) o-t-y, to 3,175.