The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the four-county Athens Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.5% in July, down one-tenth from the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 4.0%.

“Our greatest strength is our people and the businesses that call Georgia home," said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "July’s unemployment numbers show progress across most metro areas, and even where there are slight upticks, year-over-year trends reflect our resilience. By investing in our workforce and supporting a strong environment for business, Georgia will continue to win and drive economic growth for all Georgians.”

The labor force in Athens was down 185 over the month and up 1,803 over the year, to 107,929. Athens finished the month with 104,117 employed residents, down 71 from the previous month and up 2,199 from a year ago.

Athens ended July with 104,400 jobs, down 600 over the month and up 3,600 from a year ago.

In July, initial unemployment claims fell by 1 over the month and were down 76 from a year ago, totaling 200.