County's jobless rates rise

In January, original work force numbers were 8,362 people with 7,576 working and 786 looking for jobs. In December the numbers were 8,377 total people, 7,606 working and 771 seeking jobs. In January 2011 the job market numbered 8,299 people; 7,367 had jobs and 932 were hunting work.

In February, the work force numbered 8,417 with 7,607 working and 810 seeking work. This compares to revised January numbers of 8,353 workers, 7,570 with jobs and 783 looking for work. Joblessness for February was at 9.6%. In February 2011 there were 8,227 workers, 7,409 employed and 868 seeking work.

Initial unemployment claims for Pike in January were 247, compared to 127 in December and 217 in January 2011. At 120 more people, the monthly change was 94.5% and the annual change of 30 people was 13.8%.

February’s initial unemployment claims for Pike were 83, compared to 247 in January and 97 in February 2011. At 164 fewer people, the monthly change was 66.4% while the annual change of 14 fewer people was 14.4%.

In the 10-county Three Rivers Region during January, Meriwether was in the lead at 11.8% with Spalding second at 11.7%. Next in line was Lamar at 11.4%, Upson at 11.3%, Butts 11%, Heard 10.8%, Troup 10.6% and Carroll 10.4%. Still below double digits were Pike, 9.4%, and Coweta, 8.6%.

In February, Spalding had the highest joblessness at 11.8%. Upson was second at 11.6%. Next were Meriwether at 11.4%, Butts, 10.8%, Heard, 10.5%, Lamar, 10.4%, Troup, 10.3% and Carroll, 10.2%. Still below double digits are Pike, 9.6% and Coweta, 8.5%.

The unemployment rate in the Three Rivers area rose to 10.2% in January, up three-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 9.9% in December. The jobless rate in the Three Rivers area in January a year ago was 11.5%.
Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined for the sixth month in a row to 9.2% in January, the lowest rate since March 2009 when it was 9.1%. That is a decline of two-tenths of a percent from a revised 9.4% in December. The jobless rate was 10.1% in January a year ago.

Statewide, the rate went down because about 13,000 more Georgians were employed in January than in December. Also, newly revised numbers show Georgia gained 83,700 jobs in the last 12 months. This is the largest January to January job growth since 2006.

Among the sectors showing growth over the year, professional and businesses services gained 37,000 jobs, retail trade gained 15,100, health care and social assistance grew by 11,100 and manufacturing gained 7,300.

The preliminary unemployment rate in the Three Rivers area declined to 10.1% in February, down one-tenth of a percent from a revised 10.2% in January. The jobless rate in the Three Rivers area in February a year ago was 11%.

Georgia’s February unemployment rate declined for the seventh consecutive month to 9.1%, the lowest rate since March 2009, when it was also 9.1%. That is a decline of one-tenth of a percent from a revised 9.2% in January. The jobless rate was 9.9% in February a year ago.

Statewide, the rate went down because the number of jobs in February increased by 15,600 to 3,880,400, with 70% of the growth in the private sector. Also, newly revised numbers show the state gained 41,800 jobs in the past 12 months.

The employment sectors showing growth over the year were professional and business services, 28,000; retail trade, 12,700; education and health care, 8,300; and manufacturing, 4,200.