The Georgia Department of labor announced Thursday that Athens recorded an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in February, up two-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.1 percent.

“Jobs are growing, and so is Georgia’s future," said GDOL Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. "With regional job growth across Georgia in February and the state's unemployment rate holding steady at 3.6%—well below the national average—Georgia continues to prove itself as the #1 place where businesses and talent thrive."

The labor force decreased in Athens by 384 and ended the month with 109,750. That number went up by 848 when compared to February of 2024.

Athens finished the month with 106,045 employed residents. That number decreased by 593 over-the-month and rose by 565 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Athens ended February with 106,000 jobs. That number increased by 300 from January to February and rose by 2,100 when compared to this time last year.

In February, initial unemployment claims decreased by 77 over-the-month and were down by 62 when compared to the same month last year, totaling 192.