Labor Commissioner Says Unemployment Drops Heading into the New Year Across All of Georgia’s Regional Commissions

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said recently that all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions saw a decrease in unemployment in November.

“As we prepare to ring in a new year, Georgia’s future is bright, said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “With holiday shopping and retail kicking back up, Georgia’s unemployment rates are dropping faster than holiday deals. Coupled with a soaring job market and a workforce ready to take on limitless opportunities, Georgia is well on the road to success.”

Please see a synopsis of each regional commission below:

Atlanta Regional Commission

• The unemployment rate was down four-tenths to 3.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.7 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 2,575 over-the-month and up 70,806 over-the-year, to 2,700,517.
• The number of employed was up 12,351 over-the-month and up 58,057 over-the-year, to 2,617,205, an all-time high.
• Initial claims were down 1,893 (-18%) over-the-month and down 1,308 (-13%) over-the-year, to 8,516.

Central Savannah River

• The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.8 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.5 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 708 over-the-month and up 778 over-the-year, to 207,031.
• The number of employed was up 220 over-the-month and up 6 over-the-year, to 199,067.
• Initial claims were down 130 (-14%) over-the-month and down 305 (-28%) over-the-year, to 791.

Coastal Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down six-tenths to 2.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.7 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 77 over-the-month and up 6,953 over-the-year, to 350,427.
• The number of employed was up 1,975 over-the-month and up 6,865 over-the-year, to 340,925, an all-time high.
• Initial claims were down 206 (-21%) over-the-month and down 316 (-29%) over-the-year, to 777.

Georgia Mountains

• The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 2.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.4 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 348 over-the-month and up 8,828 over-the-year, to 250,477.
• The number of employed was up 1,517 over-the-month and up 8,626 over-the-year, to 244,503.
• Initial claims were up 97 (15%) over-the-month, and down 117 (-13%) over-the-year, to 753.

Heart of Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down six-tenths to 3.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.4 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,550 over-the-month and up 4,424 over-the-year, to 121,774.
• The number of employed was up 2,164 over-the-month and up 4,336 over-the-year, to 117,747.
• Initial claims were down 328 (-35%) over-the-month, and down 471 (-44%) over-the-year, to 604. 

Middle Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.2 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 553 over-the-month and up 4,246 over-the-year, to 220,043.
• The number of employed was up 634 over-the-month and up 4,150 over-the-year, to 213,094.
• Initial claims were down 146 (-17%) over-the-month and down 275 (-28%) over-the-year, to 700.

Northeast Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 2.8 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.6 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,191 over-the-month and up 9,931 over-the-year, to 333,077, an all-time high.
• The number of employed was up 2,813 over-the-month and up 8,950 over-the-year, to 323,674, an all-time high.
• Initial claims were up 42 (4%) over-the-month and up 176 (20%) over-the-year, to 1,064.

Northwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down four-tenths to 2.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.8 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 45 over-the-month and up 10,393 over-the-year, to 438,633.
• The number of employed was up 1,905 over-the-month and up 9,768 over-the-year, to 426,113, an all-time high.
• Initial claims were up 3,029 (161%) over-the-month and up 114 (2%) over-the-year, to 4,913.

River Valley

• The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.6 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.7 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 439 over-the-month and up 4,283 over-the-year, to 148,666.
• The number of employed was up 1,084 over-the-month and up 4,174 over-the-year, to 143,265.
• Initial claims were up 35 (6%) over-the-month and down 117 (-16%) over-the-year, to 639.

Southern Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.0 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.0 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,523 over-the-month and up 4,681 over-the-year, to 184,486.
• The number of employed was up 2,508 over-the-month and up 4,538 over-the-year, to 179,016, an all-time high.
• Initial claims were up 355 (55%) over-the-month and up 27 (3%) over-the-year, to 1,006.

Southwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.2 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 2,007 over-the-month and up 5,425 over-the-year, to 151,626.
• The number of employed was up 2,640 over-the-month and up 5,238 over-the-year, to 146,796.
• Initial claims were down 179 (-26%) over-the-month and down 109 (-18%) over-the-year, to 507. 

Three Rivers

• The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.0 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.7 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 160 over-the-month and up 6,928 over-the-year, to 262,515, an all-time high.
• The number of employed was up 1,654 over-the-month and up 6,061 over-the-year, to 254,709, an all-time high.
• Initial claims were down 240 (-19%) over-the-month and down 306 (-23%) over-the-year, to 1,028.