Unemployment rate up slightly in Polk

Labor Commissioner Mark Butler

The unemployment rate in Polk County rose slightly last month when compared to May’s numbers, according to State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

“In Polk County, we saw the unemployment rate rise to 7.6 percent in June, which is an increase of 0.3 percent since the last month,” said Butler. “However, if we take a look at this June compared to last June, we were at 8.4 percent.”

So the rate is not as bad as it was a year ago, and according to Butler, June is a month were temporary layoffs are not uncommon.

“Typically what we see are the rates going up due to seasonal factors,” Butler explained. “Those factors can be attributed to school systems temporarily laying off non contract employees until the fall and high school and college graduates entering the workforce for the first time.”

Metro Rome’s unemployment rate increased to 8.2 percent in June, up three-tenths of a percentage point from 7.9 percent in May.

The rate was 9.4 percent in June a year ago.