Labor Dept reports increase in Athens unemployment rate

The state Labor Department is reporting an increase in the Athens unemployment rate: the jobless level for the four-county Athens metro that includes Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Madison counties climbed from 2.7 percent in January to 3.2 percent in February. It was 3.3 percent in February of last year.

From the Ga Dept of Labor…

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Athens recorded an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in January, up five-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.3 percent. Due to seasonal factors from December to January, data that is not seasonally adjusted typically shows an increase in unemployment – a seasonal trend that happens each year.

“Despite a nationwide pandemic and challenging economic times, continued investments in Georgia’s labor force and thriving business community have kept our economy strong,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “As labor commissioner, it is my No. 1 priority to help more Georgians get back to work and fill the jobs that our businesses need.”

The labor force increased in Athens by 1,037 and ended the month with 100,333. That number went up by 2,116 when compared to January of 2022.

Athens finished the month with 97,078 employed residents. That number increased by 438 over the month and rose by 2,093 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Athens ended January with 100,400 jobs. That number decreased by 100 from December to January and increased by 5,400 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went up by 28 percent in Athens in January. When compared to last January, claims were up by about 10 percent.

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