Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Athens added more jobs in August.
 
According to preliminary data, Athens also saw its annual numbers for labor force and employed residents trend in the right direction for the four-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
 
“It’s good to see so many of our communities doing well,” Butler said. “We continue to add jobs at a record rate and see claims for unemployment fall. Overall, August was a strong month across the state.”
 
In Athens, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in August, staying at 3.5 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.8 percent.
 
Athens ended August with 99,300 jobs. That number increased by 800 over the month and increased by 900 jobs when compared to the same time a year ago.
 
The labor force decreased in August by 109. Athens ended the month with a labor force of 100,736. That number grew by 290 when compared to August of 2018.
 
Athens ended August with 97,229 employed residents.  That number decreased by 82 over the month and grew by 588 when compared to the same time a year ago.
 
The number of unemployment claims went up by about 101 percent in August. When compared to last August, claims were up by about 146 percent.