This chart released by the Georgia Department of Labor shows unemployment and population trends for Jenkins County over the past decade. Jenkins County continues to hang onto its first place position on the Georgia Department of Labor’s unemployment rankings at 19.8 percent for the month of July, although the county shares the top of the chart ranking with Hancock County.

The percentage of unemployed in Jenkins County did drop a bit from June’s 20.5 percent, which remained almost unchanged from the June 2009 rate of 20.4 percent unemployment. Figures released by the Georgia Department of Labor also indicate that 66 initial unemployment claims were filed in July. This compares to 208 initial claims filed in July 2009.

Counties trailing Jenkins and Hancock counties in unemployment ranking for the month of July were: Warren, 17.4 percent; Coffee, 16.5; and Chattahoochee, 16.1.

The unemployment rates for surrounding counties for the month of July were as follows: Bulloch, 10.1; Burke, 11.6; Candler, 9.5; Emanuel, 11.2; and Screven, 15.0.

The state’s unemployment rate of 9.9 percent came in a little higher than the national average of 9.5 percent.

A review of the county’s unemployment statistics for the past decade reveals that the unemployment rate remained near 5.0 percent until 2006 when it began to steadily climb, reaching a high of 20 percent. The county’s persistently high rate can be attributed to the closure of the Jockey International, M.I. Windows and Cavalier Home Builders plants.

Local leaders remain optimistic, however, in their effort to bring industry to Millen and Jenkins County, stating that they continue to work on a daily basis to bring jobs to local citizens.