Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Valdosta recorded an unemployment rate of 2.9 percent in April, down seven-tenths of a percentage point over the month. A year ago, the rate was 2.6 percent.

"With Georgia's economy continuing to soar, the state unemployment rates remain steady,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “When you consider the number of existing companies expanding throughout the state combined with the incredible announcements of corporations moving to our state, the future continues to look very bright for the labor market. "As we approach the summer months, we are optimistic that job growth will remain steady in virtually every sector in the state."

The labor force decreased in Valdosta by 351 and ended the month with 63,146. That number went up by 109 when compared to April of 2022.

Valdosta finished the month with 61,338 employed residents. That number increased by 113 from March to April and fell by 52 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Valdosta ended April with 57,200 jobs. That number was flat from March to April and went up by 800 when compared to this time last year.

In April, initial unemployment claims increased by 11 percent in Valdosta. When you compare April 2023 claims to April 2022, claims were up by about 4 percent.