October Brings Slight Rise in Unemployment Across Most Georgia Regional Commissions

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced that unemployment rates increased in nearly all regions of the state during October, except for the Three Rivers Regional Commission.

“While most regions across Georgia experienced a slight uptick in unemployment, our state continues to lead the way with an unemployment rate well below the national average,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “As job growth slows across the nation, Georgia’s resilience shines through—driven by commonsense policies that prioritize opportunity, growth, and a workforce ready to lead. This stability proves that Georgia’s economy is built not just to withstand challenges but to thrive for generations to come.”

 See a synopsis of each regional commission below:

Atlanta Regional Commission

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 11,984 over-the-month and up 20,323 over-the-year, to 2,697,097.
• The number of employed was down 13,857 over-the-month and up 12,172 over-the-year, to 2,603,067.
• Initial claims were up 823 over-the-month and down 558 over-the-year, to 9,851.

Central Savannah River

• The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 5.0 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.0 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 774 over-the-month and up 4,200 over-the-year, to 211,565.
• The number of employed was down 478 over-the-month and up 1,767 over-the-year, to 200,934.
• Initial claims were up 3,613 over-the-month and up 3,651 over-the-year, to 4,572.

Coastal Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.2 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.0 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 446 over-the-month and up 5,302 over-the-year, to 356,061.
• The number of employed was down 953 over-the-month and up 4,490 over-the-year, to 344,747.
• Initial claims were up 420 over-the-month and up 384 over-the-year, to 1,367.

Georgia Mountains

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 2.8 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.6 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 540 over-the-month and up 5,965 over-the-year, to 257,766.
• The number of employed was up 172 over-the-month and up 5,287 over-the-year, to 250,520.
• Initial claims were up 44 over-the-month, and up 113 over-the-year, to 769.

Heart of Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.6 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,282 over-the-month and up 5,926 over-the-year, to 124,570.
• The number of employed was up 1,108 over-the-month and up 5,368 over-the-year, to 119,723.
• Initial claims were up 572 over-the-month, and up 158 over-the-year, to 1,090.

Middle Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.8 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.5 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 19 over-the-month and up 5,584 over-the-year, to 221,299.
• The number of employed was down 319 over-the-month and up 4,785 over-the-year, to 213,000.
• Initial claims were up 80 over-the-month and down 77 over-the-year, to 769.

Northeast Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.0 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 1,101 over-the-month and up 7,720 over-the-year, to 341,981, an all-time high.
• The number of employed was up 649 over-the-month and up 6,106 over-the-year, to 330,203, an all-time high.
• Initial claims were up 455 over-the-month and up 587 over-the-year, to 1,599.

Northwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.0 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 368 over-the-month and up 7,334 over-the-year, to 448,048.
• The number of employed was down 1,097 over-the-month and up 5,176 over-the-year, to 432,631.
• Initial claims were up 157 over-the-month and up 552 over-the-year, to 2,436.

River Valley

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 4.2 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.9 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 670 over-the-month and up 2,830 over-the-year, to 147,239.
• The number of employed was up 428 over-the-month and up 2,292 over-the-year, to 141,121.
• Initial claims were up 117 over-the-month and up 47 over-the-year, to 651.

Southern Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up four-tenths to 3.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.3 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 2,430 over-the-month and up 5,657 over-the-year, to 185,540.
• The number of employed was up 1,680 over-the-month and up 4,451 over-the-year, to 178,382, an all-time High.
• Initial claims were up 2,254 over-the-month and up 2,223 over-the-year, to 2,874.

Southwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.4 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was up 2,580 over-the-month and up 4,635 over-the-year, to 150,915.
• The number of employed was up 2,397 over-the-month and up 4,102 over-the-year, to 145,350.
• Initial claims were up 143 over-the-month and down 118 over-the-year, to 568.

Three Rivers

• The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.3 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 484 over-the-month and up 3,237 over-the-year, to 264,790.
• The number of employed was down 607 over-the-month and up 2,764 over-the-year, to 255,745.
• Initial claims were up 197 over-the-month and down 186 over-the-year, to 1,082.