Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Valdosta added jobs and employed residents in 2018.

For December, the unemployment rate increased, the labor force fell and the number of employed residents decreased.  Valdosta maintained annual growth in all critical measures across the four-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA).     

“Georgia had a very good year economically speaking in 2018,” Butler said. “As I look back over the year, our state added to its workforce, employed more residents and increased jobs. Many of our local communities set records.” 

The unemployment rate for December, at 3.7 percent, was up 0.3 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 4.3 percent. That rate was tied for fifth lowest among the 14 MSAs. The rate increased in 13 of the 14 MSAs. 

The labor force in Valdosta fell by 230 in December to reach 66,078. That number is up by 1,151 over the past year – an average monthly increase of about 95.

Valdosta lost 475 employed residents in December, pushing the total to  63,604. The number is up 1,445 for the year, or about 120 per month.

Jobs grew by 100 in December to 58,100. The job total in Valdosta is up 1,700 over the year – an average increase of about 140 per month.

Claims for unemployment insurance decreased by 4 percent in December. They were down by 23 percent when compared to the same month a year ago. 

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 392 active job postings in metro Valdosta for December.