The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the four-county Athens Metropolitan Statistical Area saw record employment gains and an unemployment rate of 2.9% in March, down three-tenths over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.1%. 

“There's no better way to mark Economic Development Week than with measurable results,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “With the state labor force and employment both reaching all-time highs and unemployment falling across all metro areas, more Georgians are securing good-paying jobs that support families, build the future, and strengthen the communities they call home.” 

Athens finished the month with 110,223 employed residents (an all-time high), up 180 over the month and 3,395 from a year ago.  

Athens ended March with 108,200 jobs, unchanged over the month and 2,500 over the year.  

In March, initial unemployment claims were up by 49 over the month and declined by 7 from a year ago, totaling 218.