The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported labor force and employment growth in February.
“Georgia’s latest labor market data shows continued growth in both the labor force and employment as more Georgians are working and stepping into opportunity across the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “That matters because when more people are working, businesses gain access to talent, families gain stability, and Georgia is better positioned to compete, win and adapt in today’s global economy.”
Here is a synopsis of each regional commission. Coffee and Atkinson counties are in the Southern Georgia Regional Commission:
Atlanta Regional Commission
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 3.6% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 18,560 over-the-month and up 18,502 over-the-year, to 2,718,443.
- The number of employed was up 17,941 over-the-month and up 13,185 over-the-year, to 2,620,434.
- Initial claims were down 2,107 over-the-month and down 1,428 over-the-year, to 8,592.
Central Savannah River
- The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 4.2% over-the-month. The rate was 4.2% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 622 over-the-month and up 2,605 over-the-year, to 215,058, an all-time high.
- The number of employed was up 1,093 over-the-month and up 2,419 over-the-year, to 206,031.
- Initial claims were down 854 over-the-month and down 42 over-the-year, to 715.
Coastal Georgia
- The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.3% over-the-month. The rate was 3.2% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 2,206 over-the-month and up 4,103 over-the-year, to 368,476, an all-time high.
- The number of employed was up 1,583 over-the-month and up 3,429 over-the-year, to 356,230.
- Initial claims were down 220 over-the-month and down 32 over-the-year, to 900.
Georgia Mountains
- The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.3% over-the-month. The rate was 3.2% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 2,114 over-the-month and up 3,789 over-the-year, to 247,756.
- The number of employed was up 1,827 over-the-month and up 3,456 over-the-year, to 239,670.
- Initial claims were down 709 over-the-month, and up 88 over-the-year, to 670.
Heart of Georgia
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 3.8% over-the-month. The rate was 3.8% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 1,009 over-the-month and up 3,275 over-the-year, to 122,772.
- The number of employed was up 987 over-the-month and up 3,153 over-the-year, to 118,069.
- Initial claims were down 728 over-the-month, and down 85 over-the-year, to 373.
Middle Georgia
- The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.8% over-the-month. The rate was 3.6% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 2,036 over-the-month and up 1,758 over-the-year, to 227,139.
- The number of employed was up 1,731 over-the-month and up 1,263 over-the-year, to 218,430.
- Initial claims were down 92 over-the-month and down 86 over-the-year, to 736.
Northeast Georgia
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 2,995 over-the-month and up 4,797 over-the-year, to 358,528, an all-time high.
- The number of employed was up 2,629 over-the-month and up 4,284 over-the-year, to 346,208, an all-time high.
- Initial claims were down 392 over-the-month and down 98 over-the-year, to 870.
Northwest Georgia
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 3,205 over-the-month and up 3,715 over-the-year, to 457,800.
- The number of employed was up 2,906 over-the-month and up 2,787 over-the-year, to 441,612.
- Initial claims were down 4,265 over-the-month and down 377 over-the-year, to 1,839.
River Valley
- The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 4.3% over-the-month. The rate was 4.1% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 851 over-the-month and up 747 over-the-year, to 146,583.
- The number of employed was up 1,024 over-the-month and up 370 over-the-year, to 140,258.
- Initial claims were down 313 over-the-month and up 71 over-the-year, to 634.
Southern Georgia
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 3.8% over-the-month. The rate was 3.7% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 1,490 over-the-month and up 2,587 over-the-year, to 177,352.
- The number of employed was up 1,421 over-the-month and up 2,351 over-the-year, to 170,581.
- Initial claims were down 627 over-the-month and down 119 over-the-year, to 558.
Southwest Georgia
- The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.9% over-the-month. The rate was 3.8% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 1,075 over-the-month and up 2,230 over-the-year, to 150,763.
- The number of employed was up 936 over-the-month and up 2,040 over-the-year, to 144,928.
- Initial claims were down 333 over-the-month and down 105 over-the-year, to 418.
Three Rivers
- The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 2,203 over-the-month and up 1,759 over-the-year, to 272,282, an all-time high.
- The number of employed was up 2,167 over-the-month and up 1,538 over-the-year, to 262,864.
- Initial claims were down 426 over-the-month and down 213 over-the-year, to 760.