The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the four-county Athens Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.0% in July, down five-tenths of a percentage point over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.5%.

“July brought a clear victory for Georgia: Unemployment fell in every single metro area and region,” said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “When state leaders, local communities and Main Street businesses row in the same direction, results follow. We aren’t slowing down – our focus remains on putting Georgians to work, growing paychecks and building real opportunity in every corner of the state.”

The labor force in Athens was down 1,171 over the month and increased by 4,988 over the year, to 111,658.

Athens finished the month with 108,288 employed residents, down 585 over the month and up 5,360 from a year ago.

Athens ended July with 106,400 jobs, down 1,100 over the month and up 3,700 over the year.

In July, initial unemployment claims were up by 10 over the month and by 20 from a year ago, totaling 220.

Contact Georgia Department of Labor Communications Office

[email protected]
(404) 232-3685

Media Contact: Chief Communications Officer, Shawna Mercer
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 678-350-6878

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail.

For more information on unemployment benefits, claimants should call 877.709.8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal. GDOL's Career Centers also provide in-person unemployment insurance benefit services for customers statewide.

For more information on jobs and current labor force data, visit Georgia LaborMarket Explorer to view a comprehensive report.