Dade County’s unemployment rate rose to 3.5% in June, marking a half-point increase from the previous month, according to new data released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor.
The rise mirrors a broader trend across the state, as all 12 of Georgia’s regional commissions reported slight increases in unemployment for the month.
The Georgia Department of Labor attributes the seasonal uptick to students entering the workforce as schools let out for summer—an annual trend that often results in short-term hiring shifts and temporary unemployment increases.
Walker County recorded a June jobless rate of 3.4%, up from 3.2% in May, but still slightly lower than the same time last year. Catoosa County also saw a modest increase to 3.2%, while Chattooga County experienced the sharpest rise in the region, jumping from 3.8% to 4.3%.
Statewide, Georgia’s unemployment rate increased by four-tenths of a percent, consistent with historical patterns for the early summer months.
Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes noted that these seasonal fluctuations are expected, and emphasized Georgia’s strong long-term employment outlook—highlighting the state’s recent milestone of reaching 5 million total jobs.