Unemployment was up in the Northwest Georgia area, according to numbers released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor.

Northwest Georgia Regional Commission consists of  Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield Counties.

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.3 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,214 over-the-month and up 5,679 over-the-year, to 434,862.
• The number of employed was up 863 over-the-month and up 5,317 over-the-year, to 420,274.
• Initial claims were down 337 (-15%) over-the-month and down 1,046 (-35%) over-the-year, to 1,927.

For more information on jobs and current labor force data, visit Georgia Labor Market Explorer to view a comprehensive report.