Georgia Regional Commissions See Marginal Changes in October Unemployment

Wednesday, November 29th, 2023

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported marginal changes in October unemployment rates.
 
 “Georgia's unemployment rate remains below the national average, but businesses face growing pressure, including finding and retaining top-tier talent,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “As we attract diverse companies across the state, we must remain focused on developing the skills needed to meet critical workforce demands without reallocating talent between industries. By prioritizing our labor force, we can further strengthen Georgia as a place where both businesses and individuals can thrive together.”

 The labor force rose in the following areas, the Georgia Mountains, Northeast Georgia, Southern Georgia, Southwest Georgia and Three Rivers Regional Commissions.

Please see a synopsis of each regional commission below:

Atlanta Regional Commission

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.9 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was down 6,567 over-the-month and up 63,316 over-the-year, to 2,696,899.

  • The number of employed was down 6,674 over-the-month and up 47,500 over-the-year, to 2,603,788.

  • Initial claims were up 643 (7%) over-the-month and up 2,268 (28%) over-the-year, to 10,409.

 

Central Savannah River

  • The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.8 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was down 256 over-the-month and up 2,524 over-the-year, to 208,340.

  • The number of employed was down 88 over-the-month and up 1,480 over-the-year, to 199,448.

  • Initial claims were up 2 (0%) over-the-month and up 12 (1%) over-the-year, to 921.

 

Coastal Georgia
  • The

    unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.1 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was down 1,612 over-the-month and up 5,575 over-the-year, to 349,897.

  • The number of employed was down 1,968 over-the-month and up 4,751 over-the-year, to 338,478.

  • Initial claims were down 146 (-13%) over-the-month and up 30 (3%) over-the-year, to 983.

Georgia Mountains

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 2.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.8 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was up 605 over-the-month and up 7,258 over-the-year, to 250,348.

  • The number of employed was up 419 over-the-month and up 6,819 over-the-year, to 243,193.

  • Initial claims were up 25 (4%) over-the-month, and up 45 (7%) over-the-year, to 656. 

Heart of Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was down one-tenth to 3.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.6 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was down 302 over-the-month and up 2,403 over-the-year, to 120,222.

  • The number of employed was down 175 over-the-month and up 2,002 over-the-year, to 115,581.

  • Initial claims were up 406 (77%) over-the-month, and up 109 (13%) over-the-year, to 932.

 

Middle Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.6 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was down 554 over-the-month and up 5,188 over-the-year, to 220,760.

  • The number of employed was down 692 over-the-month and up 4,740 over-the-year, to 212,625.

  • Initial claims were up 40 (5%) over-the-month and down 292 (-26%) over-the-year, to 846.

 

Northeast Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.9 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was up 20 over-the-month and up 8,511 over-the-year, to 331,721, an all-time high.

  • The number of employed was down 427 over-the-month and up 6,947 over-the-year, to 320,689.

  • Initial claims were up 89 (10%) over-the-month and up 286 (39%) over-the-year, to 1,012.

Northwest Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was down 1,281 over-the-month and up 8,573 over-the-year, to 438,495.

  • The number of employed was down 1,539 over-the-month and up 7,878 over-the-year, to 424,122.

  • Initial claims were down 353 (16%) over-the-month and down 1,543 (-45%) over-the-year, to 1,884.

 

River Valley

  • The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.0 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was down 446 over-the-month and up 3,329 over-the-year, to 148,128.

  • The number of employed was down 465 over-the-month and up 3,049 over-the-year, to 142,090.

  • Initial claims were down 72 (-11%) over-the-month and down 125 (-17%) over-the-year, to 604.

 

Southern Georgia

  • The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.3 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was up 29 over-the-month and up 2,013 over-the-year, to 183,121.

  • The number of employed was up 4 over-the-month and up 1,586 over-the-year, to 176,665.

  • Initial claims were down 297 (-31%) over-the-month and down 110 (-15%) over-the-year, to 651.

 

Southwest Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was down one-tenth to 3.6 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.5 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was up 372 over-the-month and up 2,387 over-the-year, to 149,628.

  • The number of employed was up 374 over-the-month and up 2,035 over-the-year, to 144,168.

  • Initial claims were up 28 (4%) over-the-month and up 109 (19%) over-the-year, to 686.

 

Three Rivers

  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.0 percent one year ago.

  • The labor force was up 24 over-the-month and up 6,257 over-the-year, to 262,286, an all-time high.

  • The number of employed was down 530 over-the-month and up 4,603 over-the-year, to 252,985.

  • Initial claims were up 310 (32%) over-the-month and up 144 (13%) over-the-year, to 1,268.

 

Contact Georgia Department of Labor Communications Office
[email protected]
(404) 232-3685
Media Contact: Director of Communications, Shawna Mercer
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 678-350-6878

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail. For more information on unemployment benefits, claimants should call 877.709.8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal. GDOL's Career Centers also provide in-person unemployment insurance benefit services for customers statewide.

 

For more information on jobs and current labor force data, visit Georgia LaborMarket Explorer to view a comprehensive report.