The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the four-county Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 4.4%, up six-tenths from September to November. A year ago, the rate was 3.7%.
 
 “Jobs are growing in every metro area because Georgia's businesses continue to invest and hire,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “That job growth means real paychecks supporting hardworking Georgians across our state. As we move into 2026, we'll continue connecting Georgians to mortgage-paying jobs and ensuring businesses have the skilled talent they need to grow.”
   
The labor force in Valdosta increased by 646 from September to November and ended November with 61,332. That number declined by 358 from November 2025.
 
Valdosta finished November with 58,619 employed residents, up 213 from September to November and down 785 from November 2025.
 
Valdosta ended November with 56,700 jobs, up by 300 over the month and down by 600 from November 2025.
 
In November, initial unemployment claims decreased by 91 from the previous month and fell by 122 from the same month a year ago, totaling 148.