Labor Dept: Athens jobs increase, unemployment claims decrease

The state Labor Department says the Athens unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in March, down from 4.1 percent in February.

Athens ranked 2nd among Georgia’s 14 metropolitan statistical areas with a 3.8 percent unemployment rate, down .3 percent from last month. The rate was 4.5 percent a year ago.

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler noted jobs, and employed residents increased - again. At the same time, unemployment claims dropped.

“It’s good to see such a strong report in March,” Butler said. “So many of our local communities are trending in the right direction in terms of job creation and hiring. And, we are even seeing records in many places.”

In March, the number of employed residents in the Athens area, at 100,069, was up by 187 over the month and 4,550 for the year.

Jobs held constant in March to 98,500. The change over the past 12 months was 3,000.

The area reported strong growth in leisure and hospitality.

The Athens labor force ended March at 103,976. That number is down 205 over the month and up 4,008 over the past 12 months.

Georgia’s 14 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) had unemployment rates that varied from a low of 3.3 percent in Gainesville to Dalton ’s 5.3 percent. All 14 trended lower in March.

Initial claims for unemployment were down about 11 percent for the month and about 23 percent for the year.

The four-county MSA includes Clarke, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties.