An increase in the unemployment rate is a typical trend as college and high school graduates enter the job market, and that's what happened with the jobless rate for the Gainesville metro last month.
The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported the unemployment rate for the one-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was 2.8%, up three-tenths of a point from April.
Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Gainesville did set another record for total jobs during the month.
"May was a good month for Georgia," Butler said. "Many of our local communities added more individuals to their workforce – which is what we needed to see happen. And, several added jobs and even and set records. That’s a great combination."
Gainesville ended May with 96,300 jobs. The MSA added 700 new jobs over the month and 4,700 jobs when compared to this time last year. Gainesville also posted gains for jobs in private services.
The labor force increased in May by 869 to reach 103,712. That number is up by 2,294 from the total of May 2018.
Gainesville ended May with 100,839 employed residents. The number climbed by 610 in May and was up by 2,366 over May 2018’s total.
