The unemployment rate in Rockdale County saw a minor 0.3 percent spike in May.

The rate increased to 6.6 percent for the month, which is the first time since the January the rate went up from the previous month.

The rate rose as the labor force grew by 353 people to 42,508, and while the new entrants are searching for work, they are counted as unemployed, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The rate of unemployment this time a year ago was 7.9 percent.

Newton County's unemployment rate had a bit of a spike as well. It rose by 0.3 to 6.8 percent in May from 6.5 percent in April.

Unemployment in the metro-Atlanta area also increased by the same percentage points to 5.9 percent in May.

Overall, the state's unemployment rate went up to 6.3 percent in May, an increase of 0.1 percent.