Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Athens set a record in September for total jobs.

At the same time, Athens added to its labor force, increased its number of employed residents, grew jobs and saw unemployment claims fall. Most indicators were positive for the year as well for the four-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA). 

“It’s exciting to see so many of our communities across the state doing so well,” Butler said. “We continue to add jobs and see the unemployment rate fall. Even better, people are getting hired - often at record levels.” 

The unemployment rate for September, at 3 percent, was down .5 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 4.2 percent. That rate was second lowest among the 14 MSAs. 

The labor force in Athens grew by 854 in September to reach 104,109. That number is up by 1,753 over the past year – an average monthly increase of about 145.

Athens gained 1,293 employed residents in September, pushing the total to 100,973. The number is up 2,916 for the year, or about 240 per month.

Jobs grew by 1,100 in September to 101,000 - a record high. Athens’s job total is up 3,500 over the year – an average increase of nearly 300.

Claims for unemployment insurance fell by 22 percent in September. They were down by 14 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 1,158 active job postings in metro Athens for September.

The four-county MSA includes Clarke, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties.