Unemployment Rises In Most Georgia Regional Commissions To Start 2025

  • Thursday, March 20, 2025
The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that most of Georgia’s Regional Commissions saw an increase in January unemployment rates. 
 
"Georgia’s success is driven by its people, and we remain committed to supporting them every step of the way," said GDOL Interim Commissioner Louis DeBroux. While job growth has faced challenges this month, key industries across the state continue to offer opportunities for hardworking Georgians. Even with the rise in unemployment, our mission remains clear—helping Georgia’s workers find and keep meaningful employment in every corner of our state.” 
 
Synopsis of each regional commission:
 
Atlanta Regional Commission
• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.3 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 7,977 over-the-month and up 220 over-the-year, to 2,690,007.
• The number of employed was down 10,359 over-the-month and down 3,037 over-the-year, to 2,598,198.
• Initial claims were up 1,923 over-the-month and down 769 over-the-year, to 12,043.
Central Savannah River
 
• The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 4.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.2 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was up 529 over-the-month and down 500 over-the-year, to 208,235. 
• The number of employed was up 413 over-the-month and down 723 over-the-year, to 199,246.
• Initial claims were down 263 over-the-month and down 653 over-the-year, to 1,526.
 
Coastal Georgia
• The unemployment rate  was up two-tenths to 3.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.1 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was up 372 over-the-month and up 2,169 over-the-year, to 354,895. 
• The number of employed was down 430 over-the-month and up 2,053 over-the-year, to 343,753.
• Initial claims were up 47 over-the-month and down 134 over-the-year, to 1,149.
 
Georgia Mountains
 
• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 3.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.0 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was up 465 over-the-month and up 1,819 over-the-year, to 241,373. 
• The number of employed was down 290 over-the-month and up 1,598 over-the-year, to 233,865.
• Initial claims were up 61 over-the-month, and down 166 over-the-year, to 903.  
 
Heart of Georgia
 
• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.9 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was down 418 over-the-month and up 972 over-the-year, to 118,585. 
• The number of employed was down 714 over-the-month and up 909 over-the-year, to 113,933.
• Initial claims were up 23 over-the-month, and down 101 over-the-year, to 1,033. 
 
Middle Georgia
 
• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.6 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.5 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was up 996 over-the-month and up 1,270 over-the-year, to 223,454. 
• The number of employed was up 610 over-the-month and up 980 over-the-year, to 215,355.
• Initial claims were up 38 over-the-month and down 215 over-the-year, to 895.
 
Northeast Georgia
 
• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.3 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was up 705 over-the-month and up 3,050 over-the-year, to 349,785.
• The number of employed was down 177 over-the-month and up 2,787 over-the-year, to 338,182.
• Initial claims were down 215 over-the-month and up 11 over-the-year, to 1,407.
 
Northwest Georgia
 
• The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.4 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was down 2,273 over-the-month and up 1,598 over-the-year, to 454,504. 
• The number of employed was down 1,119 over-the-month and up 1,375 over-the-year, to 439,066.
• Initial claims were up 957 over-the-month and up 243 over-the-year, to 8,002.
 
River Valley
 
• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 4.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.1 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was up 461 over-the-month and down 1,132 over-the-year, to 145,111. 
• The number of employed was down 104 over-the-month and down 1,497 over-the-year, to 138,803.
• Initial claims were up 976 over-the-month and up 100 over-the-year, to 1,800.
 
Southern Georgia
 
• The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 3.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.7 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was down 695 over-the-month and up 593 over-the-year, to 176,129. 
• The number of employed was down 286 over-the-month and up 534 over-the-year, to 169,569.
• Initial claims were down 38 over-the-month and up 273 over-the-year, to 1,828.
 
Southwest Georgia
 
• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.6 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was down 707 over-the-month and down 663 over-the-year, to 148,671. 
• The number of employed was down 1,015 over-the-month and down 744 over-the-year, to 143,148.
• Initial claims were down 20 over-the-month and down 117 over-the-year, to 763.
 
Three Rivers
 
• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was down 543 over-the-month and up 1,092 over-the-year, to 268,834. 
• The number of employed was down 832 over-the-month and up 530 over-the-year, to 259,612.
• Initial claims were down 227 over-the-month and down 1,008 over-the-year, to 1,521.
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