Initial Claims Down Across All Of Georgia's Regional Commissions

The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that most of Georgia’s Regional Commissions saw an increase in February unemployment rates.

“Jobs are growing, and so is Georgia’s future," said GDOL Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. "With regional job growth across Georgia in February and the state's unemployment rate holding steady at 3.6%—well below the national average—Georgia continues to prove itself as the #1 place where businesses and talent thrive."

A synopsis of each regional commission is below:

Atlanta Regional Commission

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.6 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.3 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 3,662 over-the-month and down 13,597 over-the-year, to 2,686,173.
• The number of employed was down 9,077 over-the-month and down 20,561 over-the-year, to 2,588,978.
• Initial claims were down 2,023 over-the-month and down 1,359 over-the-year, to 10,020.

Central Savannah River

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 4.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 760 over-the-month and down 2,006 over-the-year, to 207,422.
• The number of employed was down 1,111 over-the-month and down 2,558 over-the-year, to 198,082.
• Initial claims were down 769 over-the-month and down 338 over-the-year, to 757.

Coastal Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 1,132 over-the-month and down 1,851 over-the-year, to 353,774.
• The number of employed was down 2,124 over-the-month and down 2,684 over-the-year, to 341,633.
• Initial claims were down 217 over-the-month and down 156 over-the-year, to 932.

Georgia Mountains

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.1 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 180 over-the-month and down 556 over-the-year, to 241,247.
• The number of employed was down 797 over-the-month and down 1,243 over-the-year, to 233,131.
• Initial claims were down 321 over-the-month, and down 245 over-the-year, to 582.

Heart of Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 4.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.8 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 984 over-the-month and down 655 over-the-year, to 117,827.
• The number of employed was down 1,142 over-the-month and down 935 over-the-year, to 113,019.
• Initial claims were down 575 over-the-month, and down 65 over-the-year, to 458.

Middle Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 3.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.6 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 659 over-the-month and down 352 over-the-year, to 223,017.
• The number of employed was down 1,216 over-the-month and down 1,061 over-the-year, to 214,365.
• Initial claims were down 73 over-the-month and down 47 over-the-year, to 822.

Northeast Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 1,252 over-the-month and up 147 over-the-year, to 348,701.
• The number of employed was down 1,970 over-the-month and down 858 over-the-year, to 336,382.
• Initial claims were down 439 over-the-month and down 141 over-the-year, to 968.

Northwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 1,258 over-the-month and down 1,077 over-the-year, to 453,247.
• The number of employed was down 1,885 over-the-month and down 2,649 over-the-year, to 437,189.
• Initial claims were down 5,786 over-the-month and up 44 over-the-year, to 2,216.

River Valley

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 4.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 4.0 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 1,141 over-the-month and down 2,959 over-the-year, to 143,922.
• The number of employed was down 1,128 over-the-month and down 3,420 over-the-year, to 137,629.
• Initial claims were down 1,237 over-the-month and down 49 over-the-year, to 563.

Southern Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.7 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 1,111 over-the-month and down 1,623 over-the-year, to 174,859.
• The number of employed was down 1,417 over-the-month and down 2,027 over-the-year, to 167,987.
• Initial claims were down 1,151 over-the-month and down 52 over-the-year, to 677.

Southwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 4.0 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.7 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 1,228 over-the-month and down 2,173 over-the-year, to 147,370.
• The number of employed was down 1,646 over-the-month and down 2,670 over-the-year, to 141,408.
• Initial claims were down 240 over-the-month and down 37 over-the-year, to 523.

Three Rivers

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.6 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.
• The labor force was down 324 over-the-month and down 84 over-the-year, to 268,432.
• The number of employed was down 769 over-the-month and down 1,236 over-the-year, to 258,767.
• Initial claims were down 548 over-the-month and down 49 over-the-year, to 973.