Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Athens saw its unemployment rate drop a substantial 1.2 percentage points in October.

Athens also saw monthly increases across all major indicators, including labor force, number of employed residents, and jobs for October.

“In October, every MSA saw unemployment rates dramatically decrease, including some areas that dropped to pre-pandemic numbers, demonstrating how strong our economy was across the state prior to the crisis and how we are successfully recovering,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler.  “We have a significant number of jobs available on EmployGeorgia from all parts of the state for those looking for new career opportunities.  Filling these jobs will be critical for continuing the growth we need to progress economically.”

In Athens, the unemployment rate decreased 1.2 percentage points in October, reaching 3.7 percent. A year ago, the rate was 2.9 percent.

The labor force increased in Athens by 4,001 and ended the month with 97,778. That number is down 2,119 when compared to October of 2019. 

Athens finished the month with 94,145 employed residents.  That number increased by 5,000 over the month and is down by 2,816 when compared to the same time a year ago. 

Athens ended October with 94,600. jobs. That number increased by 1,200 from September to October but decreased by 3,400 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went down by 11 percent in Athens. When compared to last October, claims were up by about 1,077 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 1,886 active job postings in metro Athens for October.