State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said that the number of metro Athens’ employed residents fell in October but not enough to make the area’s jobless rate increase.

The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent from September to October. The October rate still compares favorably to last October when the rate was 5.3 percent.

“We see seasonal and even monthly variations in these numbers,” Butler said. “So, it’s not uncommon to see them rise or fall month to month. It’s more important to look at the trends over time. And, Athens’ numbers over the past 12 months remain strong.”  

The number of employed residents declined by 319 to 97,650. However, from October a year ago the number of employed residents is up by 5,223 from 92,427.

At the same time, metro Athens’ labor force, which includes the total number of residents with jobs and those unemployed but looking for work, declined to 101,854, down by 255 in October. The labor force is up by 4,244 since October 2016.

Unemployment claims were up by 11.1 percent, to 311. Claims were up in trade and manufacturing. When compared to last October, claims were down by 14.8 percent from 365.

However, jobs still increased in metro Athens. They were up by 500 to 98,900 in October from a revised 98,400 in September. The monthly job growth came in state and local government, along with professional and business services and retail trade.     

Over the past 12 months, metro Athens has added 4,100 jobs, a 4.3 percent growth rate. Over-the-year job growth came in state government and the private sector, including leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and retail trade.