Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Valdosta recorded an unemployment rate of 3 percent in July, down four-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 4 percent.

"This summer, we have seen unemployment rates drop while job numbers have climbed," said Commissioner Mark Butler. "As employers have worked to fill positions with the most qualified people, job seekers have taken advantage of the wide range of employment opportunities with more benefits and flexibility than ever before.”

The labor force decreased in Valdosta by 612 and ended the month with 62,632. That number went down by 537 when compared to July of 2021.

Valdosta finished the month with 60,731 employed residents. That number decreased by 339 from June to July and increased by 91 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Valdosta ended July with 55,500 jobs. That number decreased by 400 from June to July and rose by 900 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went up by 23 percent in Valdosta in July. When compared to last July, claims were down by about 41 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 456 active job postings in Valdosta for July.