ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor reported that the unemployment rate in metro Savannah rose to a preliminary unadjusted rate of 5.8 percent in August, up 1.9 percentage points over the year from 3.9 percent in August 2007.

The increase is consistent with the overall increase in unemployment throughout the state. Georgia’s unemployment rate for August rose to a seasonally adjusted 6.3 percent, its highest level in 15 years. The jobless rate was up 1.9 percentage points from 4.4 percent at this same time last year. The state rate remains above the national rate of 6.1 percent for the seventh straight month. The state’s unadjusted rate for August is 6.4 percent, up from 4.5 percent one year ago.

“Finding a new job in this economic environment is going to be difficult,” said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. “But, I continue to encourage job seekers to keep the faith and remember that finding a new job is not impossible. They should make maximum use of the services of the Georgia Department of Labor through our Web site or by personally visiting one of our 53 career centers throughout the state.”

The metro Savannah area jobless rate of 5.8 percent in August is up three-tenths of one percentage point from a revised 5.5 percent in July, while the state August rate rose three-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 6.0 percent in July.

The Department of Labor reported that the unemployment rate in the Coastal Georgia area rose to a preliminary unadjusted rate of 6.0 percent in August, up 1.9 percentage points over the year from 4.1 percent in August 2007.

The GDOL Web site is www.dol.state.ga.us and lists addresses of all career centers.

While the unemployment rate is up, the number of jobs is decreasing. Over the year, the number of payroll jobs in Georgia decreased 37,700 or nine-tenths of one percentage point. At present, 310,683 unemployed Georgians are looking for work.

Job losses came across-the-board in manufacturing, construction, trade and services.

The Coastal Georgia area jobless rate of 6.0 percent in August is up three-tenths of one percentage point from a revised 5.7 percent in July, while the state August rate rose three-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 6.0 percent in July.

The local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.