Over five million Americans claimed unemployment last week, according to numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor.  In Georgia there has been a sharp increase in unemployment claims as well.  In our area, Chattooga County has shown the smallest increase in unemployment – compared to neighboring counties.

As expected due to COVID-19, first-time claims for unemployment insurance jumped significantly in Northwest Georgia in March. According to the Georgia Department of Labor, Floyd County saw 3,764 initial claims, up by over 994% from the 378 filed in February.

Bartow County had the largest increase in our area with 3,848 claims, compared to 292 the month before.  That is an increase of over 1,600%. Polk County was also up over 1,000% with 1,562 filings last month compared to 159 the previous month. Gordon County was up 429% with 1,418 unemployment claims filed in March.  There were 236 in February.

Chattooga County saw the smallest jump with 68, up from 37 the previous month. That’s an increase of 162%.