Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that in May, Athens’ unemployment rate fell while  the number of employed residents increased.
 
On the other hand, Athens saw small drops in the labor force and jobs. All indicators still remain positive for the year.
 
“Georgia’s employment numbers remain strong,” Butler said. “Across the state, the unemployment rate either remained steady or dropped.”
 
The May unemployment rate fell to 3.2 percent, the second lowest rate among Georgia’s 14 metropolitan statistical areas – behind only Gainesville. This is down 0.2 percent from the previous month and down from 4.2 percent one year ago.
 
The number of employed increased in May. Athens gained 81 employed residents. At 100,413 total employed residents, Athens is up by 3,970 for the year.
 
Athens lost 100 jobs for the month, with total jobs settling at 99,400. This puts Athens up 2,700 jobs for the year.
 
The labor force was down 103 for the month to 103,730 but remains up by 3,026 for the year.
 
Initial claims for unemployment grew by about 14 percent for the month but are down by about 6 percent for the year.  
 
The four-county MSA includes Clarke, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties.