The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the four-county Athens Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.1% in September, down two-tenths from the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 3.2%.
“Unemployment in Georgia dropped across nearly every region in September," said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "As we approach the end of the year, we’re staying focused on keeping workers ready, businesses strong, and opportunity growing across the state.”

The labor force in Athens was up 1,018 over the month and down 635 over the year, to 109,597.

Athens finished the month with 106,165 employed residents, up 1,191 from the previous month and down 494 from a year ago.

Athens ended September with 105,900 jobs, up 200 over the month and unchanged over the year.

In September, initial unemployment claims fell by 85 over the month and were down 178 from a year ago, totaling 199.