Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Athens recorded an unemployment rate of 2.6 percent in July, down five-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.4 percent.

"This summer, we have seen unemployment rates drop while job numbers have climbed," said Commissioner Mark Butler. "As employers have worked to fill positions with the most qualified people, job seekers have taken advantage of the wide range of employment opportunities with more benefits and flexibility than ever before.”

The labor force decreased in Athens by 836 and ended the month with 102,604. That number went up by 4,971 when compared to July of 2021.

Athens finished the month with 99,966 employed residents. That number decreased by 248 over the month and rose by 5,660 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Athens ended July with 101,500 jobs. That number decreased by 300 from June to July and increased by 7,800 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went down 0 percent in Athens in July. When compared to last July, claims were down by about 62 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 4,190 active job postings in Athens for July.