Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Athens produced strong February numbers with improvements in jobs and employed residents.
 
In February, initial claims for unemployment also dropped and the unemployment rate fell sharply. Most annual and monthly indicators remain positive for the four-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA).    
 
“We’ve started strong in 2019,” Butler said. “Communities across the state added jobs, workers and improved employment. That is very good to see.”
 
The unemployment rate climbed .7 in January but then fell .3 for February, to reach 3.8 percent. A year ago, the rate was 4.1 percent.
 
The labor force in Athens fell by 399 in January and an additional 154 in February to reach 101,221. That number is down by 1,193 over the past year – an average monthly decrease of 100.
 
Athens lost 1,108 employed residents in January but gained 229 back in February, pushing the total to 97,408. The number is down 846 for the year, or about 70 per month.
 
Jobs fell by 2,200 in January but grew by 500 in February pushing the total to 98,100. The job total in Athens is up 300 over the year – an average monthly increase of almost 25.
 
Claims for unemployment insurance increased in January by 33 percent but decreased by 53 percent in February. They were down by 25 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.