Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that the Carroll County labor force and number of employed jumped in June to record highs as summer job seekers joined the market.

With the labor force growing faster than could be absorbed through hiring, the unemployment rate also ticked up for the month.

Still, all indicators remain positive for the year.

The commissioner explained that despite an increase in the unemployment rate, he remains confident about the overall job market.

“The Georgia job market is very strong,” said Butler. “An increase in the unemployment rate is common this time of year due to an increase in high school and college graduates entering the workforce.”

The Carroll County labor force ended June at 56,416, up 1,252 over the last year to an all-time high. That number is up 519 over the last month, about five times the monthly average increase over the year.

As a result of this spike in the labor force, the unemployment rate in Carroll County increased by .8 percent to 4.4 percent. It was 5.4 percent a year ago.

The number of employed residents in the region grew to 53,959, up 57 from the previous month, hitting an all-time high. The area remains up 1,764 for the year.

In Carroll County, initial claims for unemployment were down about 23 percent for the month and down about 25 percent for the year.