The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the four-county Athens Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.7%, up six-tenths from September to November. A year ago, the rate was 2.9%.
“Jobs are growing in every metro area because Georgia's businesses continue to invest and hire,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “That job growth means real paychecks supporting hardworking Georgians across our state. As we move into 2026, we'll continue connecting Georgians to mortgage-paying jobs and ensuring businesses have the skilled talent they need to grow.”

The labor force in Athens was up 655 from September to November and increased by 304 over the year, to 110,252.

Athens finished the month with 106,207 employed residents, up 42 from September to November and down 522 from a year ago. 

Athens ended November with 106,900 jobs, up 200 over the month and down 100 over the year.
 
In November, initial unemployment claims fell by 66 over the month and were down 313 from a year ago, totaling 146.