More Than 6,600 Area Residents Were Jobless in July, Up 31.5% in 12 Months

The jobless rate jumped in July compared to the same month last year but the real toll was shown in the number of Northwest Georgians out of work.

In July 2023, there were 5,026 people unemployed in Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga counties combined. Last month, that total skyrocketed 31.5% to 6,612 people — almost 1,600 more.

Also in the latest data from the state Department of Labor are July 2024 county-by-county jobless rates:

A closer look shows:

♦ Floyd: 4.2%, up from June and July 2023. Idle: 2,029 people.

♦ Bartow: 3.8%, the same as June but up from 12 months earlier. 2,062 people jobless.

♦ Gordon: 4.2%, up from June and a full point above a year earlier. Idle: 1,243.

♦ Polk: 4.2%, the same as June but again a full point higher than the previous month a year ago. Idle: 829.

♦ Chattooga: 4.7%, which matches June but adds a full point vs. 12 months earlier. Jobless: 449.

Those numbers come mixed with some positives as well.

♦ Rome’s labor force increased by 122 and ended the month with 48,661. That number went up by 4,139 when compared to July 2023.

♦ In July, initial unemployment claims increased by 252 in Rome. When you compare to July 2023, claims were up by 68.

Across Northwest Georgia:

♦ The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.9% vs. 3.1% a year ago.

♦ The labor force was up 12,357 over the year to 449,760, an all-time high.

♦ Initial claims were up 309 vs. July 2023 or to 3,113.

Who’s hiring:

Rome Floyd Chamber:♦ 137 openings as of Thursday morning, a cross section between higher education and local governments with some businesses as well.

Cartersville Bartow Chamber: 84 openings, one of the highest numbers we’re seen, with positions open with Georgia Highlands, local government and area businesses.