Macon's Unemployment Up in January | News

(ATLANTA) -- The unemployment rate in metro Macon rose to 9.4 percent in January, up three-tenths of a percentage point from 9.1 percent in December. The rate was 10 percent in January 2012.

According to the Georgia Department of Labor the rate rose due to a loss of seasonal jobs and an increase in new layoffs.

The number of jobs declined by 2.1 percent, from 99,000 in December to 97,500 in January. However, metro Macon started the year with 1,300 more jobs in January than a year ago.

Over-the-year job increases came mostly in trade, transportation, and warehousing, professional and business services.

The number of initial claims, tied to many of the seasonal layoffs, rose by 277, or 23 percent, from 1,202 to 1,479. Most of the claims were filed in construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation and warehousing, administrative and support services, and accommodations and food services. However, the number of initial claims is down by 467 from January a year ago.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.6 percent, while metro Dalton and the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region tied for the highest at 11.9 percent.

Today is Job Market Thursday on Eyewitness News at 5.