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Georgia’s Regional Commissions See Drop in September Unemployment Rates

Monday, October 30th, 2023

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported a drop in September unemployment rates.

 

 "Georgia reigns as the ultimate destination for business and economic opportunity," said Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson. "However, with recent workforce reductions at Geico, Yellow Freight, and other companies throughout the state, we need to be cognizant of the financial pressures creating some instability within our existing business community. In today's ever-shifting global market, we must remain vigilant and lead with innovation."

 

The labor force rose in all areas, except the Coastal Georgia Regional Commission.

 

Please see a synopsis of each regional commission below:

Atlanta Regional Commission

  • The unemployment rate was down three-tenths to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.7 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 19,763 over-the-month and up 79,336 over-the-year, to 2,703,502, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 26,798 over-the-month and up 57,673 over-the-year, to 2,610,428, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 2,858 (-23%) over-the-month and up 1,099 (13%) over-the-year, to 9,766.

 

Central Savannah River

  • The unemployment rate was down three-tenths to 4.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.6 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,273 over-the-month and up 2,481 over-the-year, to 208,632.
  • The number of employed was up 2,039 over-the-month and up 782 over-the-year, to 199,554.
  • Initial claims were down 416 (-32%) over-the-month and down 134 (-13%) over-the-year, to 919.

 

Coastal Georgia
  • The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.2 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.8 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was down 431 over-the-month and up 8,803 over-the-year, to 351,399.
  • The number of employed was up 1,369 over-the-month and up 7,188 over-the-year, to 340,311, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 209 (-16%) over-the-month and up 84 (8%) over-the-year, to 1,129.
Georgia Mountains
  • The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 2.8 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.4 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 2,685 over-the-month and up 7,662 over-the-year, to 250,157.
  • The number of employed was up 3,894 over-the-month and up 6,465 over-the-year, to 243,177.
  • Initial claims were up 13 (2%) over-the-month, and down 94 (-13%) over-the-year, to 631. 
Heart of Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 4.0 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.4 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,339 over-the-month and up 3,528 over-the-year, to 120,597.
  • The number of employed was up 1,922 over-the-month and up 2,759 over-the-year, to 115,819.
  • Initial claims were down 86 (-14%) over-the-month, and down 22 (-4%) over-the-year, to 526.

 

Middle Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.6 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 872 over-the-month and up 5,890 over-the-year, to 221,209.
  • The number of employed was up 1,955 over-the-month and up 4,878 over-the-year, to 213,208.
  • Initial claims were down 235 (-23%) over-the-month and down 636 (-44%) over-the-year, to 806.
 
Northeast Georgia
  • The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.2 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.6 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 3,426 over-the-month and up 10,554 over-the-year, to 331,799, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 4,972 over-the-month and up 8,322 over-the-year, to 321,199, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 262 (-22%) over-the-month and down 24 (-3%) over-the-year, to 923.
Northwest Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was down six-tenths to 3.2 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.7 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,567 over-the-month and up 11,251 over-the-year, to 439,618, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 3,898 over-the-month and up 8,754 over-the-year, to 425,496, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were up 166 (8%) over-the-month and down 552 (-20%) over-the-year, to 2,237.

 

River Valley

  • The unemployment rate was down four-tenths to 4.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.8 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 509 over-the-month and up 4,209 over-the-year, to 148,329.
  • The number of employed was up 1,163 over-the-month and up 3,599 over-the-year, to 142,298.
  • Initial claims were down 108 (-14%) over-the-month and down 276 (-29%) over-the-year, to 676.
 
Southern Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.9 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 2,026 over-the-month and up 3,273 over-the-year, to 183,225.
  • The number of employed was up 2,815 over-the-month and up 2,095 over-the-year, to 176,786.
  • Initial claims were up 224 (31%) over-the-month and up 298 (46%) over-the-year, to 948.

 

Southwest Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was down four-tenths to 3.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.3 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,689 over-the-month and up 2,658 over-the-year, to 149,295.
  • The number of employed was up 2,295 over-the-month and up 2,010 over-the-year, to 143,833.
  • Initial claims were up 30 (5%) over-the-month and down 136 (-17%) over-the-year, to 658.
 
Three Rivers

  • The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.7 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,546 over-the-month and up 7,076 over-the-year, to 262,271, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 2,655 over-the-month and up 5,218 over-the-year, to 253,506, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 460 (-32%) over-the-month and down 111 (-10%) over-the-year, to 958.