Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said that the Southern Georgia region set a record in November for its lowest unemployment rate ever.
 
At the same time, Southern Georgia increased its number of employed residents and labor force in November, preliminary numbers show for the 18-county region.
 
“Georgia had a record number of jobs, employment and total individuals in our workforce,” Butler said. “We had the fewest number of unemployed individuals since 2001, when we had one million fewer people in our workforce. Overall, it was a spectacular month.”
 
Nationally, the unemployment rate fell in November to 3.5 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points. The nation also grew its labor force by 40,000, increased employment by 83,000 and added more 266,000 jobs.

Georgia’s unemployment rate, meanwhile, fell in November by 0.1 percentage points to 3.3 percent. That rate is the lowest since the federal government began keeping records in 1976.

Rates fell across all of Georgia’s 12 regions. Eleven set a record for lowest rate ever.

In the region, the unemployment rate decreased by 0.3 percentage points in November, setting an all-time low rate of 3 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.5 percent.
 
The labor force in Southern Georgia increased by 30 in November, bringing the total to 178,862. The number has decreased by 1,683 when compared to the same month a year ago.
 
Southern Georgia added 570 employed residents in November, bringing the total to 173,429. The number is down 723 for the year.
 
Claims for unemployment insurance were down by about 25 percent in November. They were down by about 10 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.