Southern Georgia posts record unemployment in September

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that the Southern Georgia region’s unemployment rate fell in September to an all-time low.

At the same time, the annual and monthly numbers for employed residents increased in September, preliminary numbers for the 18-county region showed.

“Georgia had an amazing month in September,” said Butler. “More than half of our regions set a record for lowest unemployment rate ever.  Many of our counties also posted similar numbers. Those are very strong results.”

Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points in September to 3.5 percent. The nation also grew its labor force, increased the number of employed residents and added more 130,000 jobs.

Georgia’s unemployment rate also fell 0.1 percentage points in September to reach 3.5 percent.  A year ago, Georgia’s unemployment rate sat at 3.7 percent. The state’s all-time low of 3.4 percent was set in December 2000.

Rates fell across all 12 of Georgia’s planning regions. Seven set a record for lowest rates ever.

In the region, the unemployment rate dropped 0.7 percentage points in September, settling at a record low 3.2 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.8 percent.

The labor force in Southern Georgia decreased by 716 in September, bringing the total to 178,538. The number has risen by 707 when compared to the same month a year ago.

Southern Georgia added 500 employed residents in September, bringing the total to 172,822. The number is up 1,794 for the year.

Claims for unemployment insurance were up by about 25 percent in September. They were up by about 9 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 1,069 active job postings in Southern Georgia for September.

The Southern Georgia Regional Commission includes Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, and Ware counties.