Georgia’s Regional Commissions See Rise In August Unemployment

  • Thursday, September 21, 2023

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said on Thursday that all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported a rise in August unemployment rates.

"August unemployment numbers continue to reinforce the strength of a vibrant Georgia economy," said Commissioner Thompson. "With the uptick in unemployment over the past month, it requires diligent and deliberate focus to balance opportunity with the needs within the state's workforce."

The labor force rose in all areas, except the Central Savannah River Regional Commission.

Employment was up in the Heart of Georgia, Northeast Georgia, and Southern Georgia Regional Commissions.

Dalton recorded an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent in August, up three-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 4.0 percent.

The labor force decreased in Dalton by 204 and ended the month with 59,013. That number went up by 914 when compared to August of 2022.

Dalton finished the month with 56,354 employed residents. That number decreased by 390 over-the-month and rose by 575 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Dalton ended August with 68,200 jobs. That number increased by 100 from July to August and rose by 800 when compared to this time last year.

In August, initial unemployment claims decreased by 278 (-33%) in Dalton. When you compare August 2023 claims to August 2022, claims were down by 287 (-33%). 

Please see a synopsis of each regional commission below:

Atlanta Regional Commission - Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 5,713 over-the-month and up 58,319 over-the-year, to 2,684,355, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was down 9,040 over-the-month and up 42,506 over-the-year, to 2,584,187.
  • Initial claims were down 2,195 (-15%) over-the-month and up 1,596 (15%) over-the-year, to 12,624.

Central Savannah River Regional Commission - Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 4.8 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.2 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was down 976 over-the-month and up 1,561 over-the-year, to 207,268.
  • The number of employed was down 1,916 over-the-month and up 235 over-the-year, to 197,405.
  • Initial claims were down 431 (-25%) over-the-month and up 78 (6%) over-the-year, to 1,335.

Coastal Georgia Regional Commission - Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Screven Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up seven-tenths to 3.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.4 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 624 over-the-month and up 8,990 over-the-year, to 351,236, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was down 1,778 over-the-month and up 7,597 over-the-year, to 338,341.
  • Initial claims were down 127 (-9%) over-the-month and up 144 (12%) over-the-year, to 1,338.

Georgia Mountains Regional Commission - Banks, Dawson, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 3.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.0 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,401 over-the-month and up 5,958 over-the-year, to 247,215.
  • The number of employed was down 274 over-the-month and up 4,932 over-the-year, to 239,014.
  • Initial claims were down 124 (-17%) over-the-month, and down 99 (-14%) over-the-year, to 618.

Heart of Georgia – Altamaha Regional Commission - Appling, Bleckley, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, and Wilcox Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 4.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.2 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 665 over-the-month and up 3,073 over-the-year, to 119,253.
  • The number of employed was up 42 over-the-month and up 2,542 over-the-year, to 113,894.
  • Initial claims were down 227 (-27) over-the-month, and down 130 (-18%) over-the-year, to 612.

Middle Georgia Regional Commission - Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs, and Wilkinson Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up seven-tenths to 4.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.9 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 919 over-the-month and up 5,906 over-the-year, to 220,670.
  • The number of employed was down 592 over-the-month and up 5,120 over-the-year, to 211,587.
  • Initial claims were down 38 (-4%) over-the-month and down 592 (-36%) over-the-year, to 1,041.

Northeast Georgia Regional Commission - Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 3.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 2,680 over-the-month and up 8,923 over-the-year, to 329,030, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 542 over-the-month and up 7,020 over-the-year, to 316,881.
  • Initial claims were down 224 (-16%) over-the-month and up 185 (19%) over-the-year, to 1,185.

Northwest Georgia Regional Commission - Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 3.8 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.3 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 793 over-the-month and up 10,087 over-the-year, to 437,992, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was down 1,773 over-the-month and up 7,632 over-the-year, to 421,534.
  • Initial claims were down 733 (-26%) over-the-month and down 437 (-17%) over-the-year, to 2,071.

River Valley Regional Commission - Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, and Webster Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 4.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.6 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 308 over-the-month and up 4,270 over-the-year, to 147,273.
  • The number of employed was down 584 over-the-month and up 4,167 over-the-year, to 140,581.
  • Initial claims were down 517 (-40%) over-the-month and down 752 (-49%) over-the-year, to 784.

Southern Georgia Regional Commission - Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, and Ware Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 4.0 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.6 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,297 over-the-month and up 2,029 over-the-year, to 180,980.
  • The number of employed was up 360 over-the-month and up 1,229 over-the-year, to 173,740.
  • Initial claims were down 339 (-32%) over-the-month and down 290 (-29%) over-the-year, to 724.

Southwest Georgia Regional Commission - Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up six-tenths to 4.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.1 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 195 over-the-month and up 1,997 over-the-year, to 147,516.
  • The number of employed was down 666 over-the-month and up 1,942 over-the-year, to 141,445.
  • Initial claims were down 102 (-14%) over-the-month and down 654 (-51%) over-the-year, to 628.

Three Rivers Regional Commission - Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, and Upson Counties.

  • The unemployment rate was up five-tenths to 3.8 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.4 percent one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 599 over-the-month and up 5,612 over-the-year, to 260,874, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was down 709 over-the-month and up 4,280 over-the-year, to 250,984.
  • Initial claims were down 672 (-32%) over-the-month and down 83 (-6%) over-the-year, to 1,418.

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.

WorkSource Georgia is now live, a new portal that replaces Employ Georgia as the official online tool for enrolling in employment services. Managed by our partners at the Technical College System of Georgia, this secure, web-based system connects job seekers with job openings. For further assistance, please call the TCSG's Call Center at 404.982.7985 or email workforce@tcsg.edu.

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

Business
ELLA Library Announces Grand Opening Of New Independent Bookshop, AND THEN BOOKS
  • 10/4/2024

ELLA Library announces the grand opening of its new independent bookshop, AND THEN BOOKS, at 400 Spring St. in Rossville. The grand opening event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 12-4 ... more

Cody Sims Receives 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Cody Sims Receives 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
  • 10/3/2024

Cody Sims, CRPC, AAMS, AWMA, a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Chattanooga, has been named a recipient of the ... more

Browns Ferry Unit 1 Completes Scheduled Refueling And Maintenance Outage
  • 10/1/2024

TVA’s Browns Ferry Unit 1 was successfully synced to the grid following its scheduled refueling and maintenance outage on Friday. Work performed prepares the unit for a two-year cycle of operation ... more