Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Valdosta saw its over-the-year numbers for labor force, employed residents, and jobs increase in December.

 “In December, key indicators varied in the different MSAs,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler. “Although this month’s numbers fluctuated more than usual, a majority of the areas saw positive job growth that continues to be indicative of the resilience that Georgia has to offer during this economic rebound.”

In Valdosta, the unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points in December, reaching 5.2 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3 percent.

The labor force decreased in Valdosta by 989 and ended the month with 66,510. That number is up 2,713 when compared to December of 2019.

 Valdosta finished the month with 63,059 employed residents.  That number decreased by 1,150 over the month but is up by 1,167 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Valdosta ended December with 58,700 jobs. That number decreased by 100 from November to December but increased by 1,900 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went up by 16 percent in Valdosta. When compared to last December, claims were up by about 535 percent.

 Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 600 active job postings in metro Valdosta for December.

 Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.

 DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED. TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT https://dol.georgia.gov/current-labor-force-data-and-graphs

 NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685.

THERE WILL BE NO AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDINGS THIS MONTH.