The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Athens’ unemployment rate for January was 4.8 percent, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 4.7 percent in December. The rate in January 2015 was 6 percent.

The rate rose as the number of jobs decreased and the number of new layoffs, as measured by unemployment insurance claims, increased. Much of the job loss and increase in claims is due to seasonal hiring for temporary jobs and the layoffs that follow it. 

The number of jobs in Athens decreased to 92,300, down by 1,900, or 2 percent, from 94,200 in December. Most of the decrease came in state government, along with trade, transportation and warehousing and the goods producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction. 

However, over the year, Athens gained 4,000 jobs, a 4.5 percent growth rate, up from 88,300 in January 2015 Most of the job gains came in trade, transportation and warehousing, along with leisure and hospitality and state and local government. 

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 140, or 24.1 percent, to 721 in January. Most of the increase came in administrative and support services, along with construction and manufacturing. However, over the year, claims were down by nine, or 1.2 percent, from 730 in January 2015.      

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.5 percent, while Metro Dalton had the highest at 7.2 percent. 

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for January was 5.4 percent, down from 5.5 percent in December. It was 6.3 percent in January 2015.