Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Athens’ labor force was up in January starting 2020 in a positive fashion. 

According to preliminary data, the four-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA) also showed 877 more employed residents when compared to January 2019.

“Over the year, we are still seeing positive data and our unemployment rates are still some of the lowest ever on record,” Butler said.

In Athens, the unemployment rate increased 0.6 percentage points in January, reaching 3.2 percent. A year ago, the rate was 4 percent.

Athens ended January with 95,900 jobs. That number decreased by 1,900 from December to January, a traditional occurrence after the holiday season and decreased by 100 from this time last year.

The labor force increased in January by 316 and ended the month with 99,349. That number is up 143 when compared to January of 2019.

Athens finished the month with 96,154 employed residents.  That number decreased by 330 over the month and is up by 877 when compared to the same time a year ago.

The number of unemployment claims went up 35 percent in January when claims normally increase due to seasonal and temporary layoffs. When compared to last January, claims were down by about 12 percent.