The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Albany’s unemployment rate increased to 8.7 percent in June, up three-tenths of a percentage point from 8.4 percent in May. The rate was 9.7 percent in June a year ago.

The rate increased because of seasonal factors, such as the summer job loss among non-contract school workers and temporary layoffs, primarily in manufacturing.

There were 60,500 jobs in Albany in June, down by 300, or 0.5 percent, from 60,800 in May. Most of the loss came in state government and the service-related industries.

And, the number of jobs decreased by 100, or 0.2 percent, from 60,600 in June 2013. Most of the loss was with the federal government.

Also, there were 795 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in June, an increase of 49, or 6.6 percent, from 746 in May. There were 670 claims filed in June 2013.

The labor force decreased by 58 to 71,404 from 71,462.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.3 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 10.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June was 7.4 percent, up from 7.2 percent in May. The rate was 8.4 percent in May a year ago.

Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.gdol.ga.gov.