Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Valdosta saw its unemployment rate drop a substantial 1.5 percentage points in October.

Valdosta also saw monthly increases across all major indicators, including labor force, number of employed residents, and jobs for October.

“In October, every MSA saw unemployment rates dramatically decrease, including some areas that dropped to pre-pandemic numbers, demonstrating how strong our economy was across the state prior to the crisis and how we are successfully recovering,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler.  “We have a significant number of jobs available on EmployGeorgia from all parts of the state for those looking for new career opportunities.  Filling these jobs will be critical for continuing the growth we need to progress economically.” 

In Valdosta, the unemployment rate decreased 1.5 percentage points in October, reaching 4 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.3 percent.

The labor force increased in Valdosta by 3,046 and ended the month with 66,036. That number is up 1,976 when compared to October of 2019.

Valdosta finished the month with 63,367 employed residents.  That number increased by 3,866 over the month and is up by 1,393 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Valdosta ended October with 58,000. jobs. That number increased by 1,200 from September to October and increased by 1,400 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went down by 1 percent in Valdosta. When compared to last October, claims were up by about 1,023 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 685 active job postings in metro Valdosta for October.