The Georgia Department of Labor announced a slight increase in unemployment across the state, in all 12 regional commissions.
While unemployment has risen, data shows that the unemployment rate is lower in metropolitan areas compared to a year ago. Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes released the data on Thursday.
The four-county metropolitan area of Athens saw a four-tenths hike in unemployment over the month of May, bringing unemployment to 3%. While the number has increased, it is lower than the 3.3% unemployment rate seen a year ago.
The labor force in Athens decreased in May, bringing the total to 108,426.
Athens finished out the month with 105,201 employed residents, a drop over the month, but a slight increase compared to a year ago.
The initial unemployment claims were also down slightly.
