Rome's Unemployment Rate at Highest Level in 13 Months

June was another month of contradictions for the area’s employment levels. The jobless rate jumped to the highest point in 13 months amid a 4,300-job surge in June compared to the same month in 2023.

Rome/Floyd’s jobless rate jumped to 3.9% in June, up six-tenths of a percent compared to May but just a notch from June 2023 (3.8%).

The latest state Department of Labor reports show Northwest Georgia also saw a jump from 3.3% in June 2023 to 3.9% last month.

In Rome, 1,895 people were listed as jobless in June, up more than 200 people from 12 months earlier.

In our five-county area, 6,309 people were without work last month, an 18.1% jump from 5,327 residents in June 2023.

A county-by-county review shows:

♦ Floyd: 3.9%. up from May and from June 2023.

♦ Bartow: 3.8%, likewise up vs. the previous month and year.

♦ Gordon: 3.7%, an increase from May and from 12 months earlier.

♦ Polk: 4.2%, also up from the two comparison points.

♦ Chattooga: 4.6%, the highest in the region and up from May and from June of last year.

About Rome/Floyd County:

♦ The labor force decreased by 149 and ended the month with 48,477. That number went up by 4,122 when compared to June 2023.

♦ Rome ended June with 47,600 jobs. That number remained unchanged from May to June and rose by 4,300 compared to 12 months earlier.

♦ First-time unemployment claims dipped by 67 from May and by 128 vs. June 2023.

Who’s hiring:

♦ Rome Floyd Chamber: 127 jobs were posted at midweek, especially with area colleges and local governments.

♦ Coming Sept. 10: Workforce Expo and Job Fair at The Forum, 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Open to all.

♦ Cartersville-Bartow Chamber: 64 positions, again dominated by Georgia Highlands as well as assorted local businesses.

The Northwest Georgia report:

♦ The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 3.9% vs. May; it was 3.3% a year ago.

♦ The number of employed was down 2,169 from May but up 10,687 compared to June 2023, or 431,499.

♦ Initial jobless claims were up 78 from May but down 170 from 12 months earlier.