The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Macon’s unemployment rate increased to 7.9 percent in May, up nine-tenths of a percentage point from 7.0 percent in April. The rate was 8.7 percent in May a year ago.

The rate increase was seasonal, as new graduates entered the labor force looking for full-time work, while other students searched for part-time summer jobs. The labor force rose by 568, up to 110,777 in May from 110,209 in April.

While the rate rose, the number of jobs increased by 100, or 0.1 percent, to 99,100 in May from 99,000 in April. Most of the job increases came in professional and business services and leisure and hospitality.

And, over the year, the number of jobs increased by 200, or 0.2 percent, from 98,900 in May 2013. The job gainers were in professional and business services and wholesale and retail trade.

Also, there were 934 new claims for unemployment insurance filed in May, an increase of 137, or 17.2 percent, from 797 in April. Most of the increase in claims came in accommodations and food services and health care and social assistance. There were 1,404 claims filed in May 2013.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.7 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 9.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for May was 7.2 percent, up from 6.9 percent in April. The rate was 8.4 percent in May a year ago.