The June preliminary unemployment rate in Northwest Georgia was up five-tenths to 3.1% from May; the rate was 3.8% one year ago.

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

First-time jobless claims, released earlier this month, also showed increases vs. May — but much improved from June 2021.

“While the seasonally adjusted state unemployment rate went down in June, it is important to note that local area rates are not seasonally adjusted to take account for fluctuations due to seasonal events that include weather, harvests, major holidays and school schedules,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “The increase in local rates is typical for summer and Georgia is still leading the southern region and third in the nation in percentage increases in employment.”