The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that unemployment dropped across Georgia’s 12 regional commissions in December.
“In December, more Georgians were working and unemployment dropped across every area in the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Looking ahead in 2026, we remain committed to creating pathways to in-demand careers, supporting businesses with the talent they need, and making sure every Georgian can turn these employment gains into meaningful opportunity.”
Please see a synopsis of each regional commission below:
Atlanta Regional Commission
- The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 9,780 over-the-month and up 11,312 over-the-year, to 2,709,296.
- The number of employed was up 25,479 over-the-month and up 9,839 over-the-year, to 2,618,396.
- Initial claims were up 1,674 over-the-month and down 699 over-the-year, to 9,421.
Central Savannah River
- The unemployment rate was down seven-tenths to 4.0% over-the-month. The rate was 4.3% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 1,267 over-the-month and up 3,247 over-the-year, to 210,953.
- The number of employed was up 2,727 over-the-month and up 3,747 over-the-year, to 202,580.
- Initial claims were up 555 over-the-month and down 486 over-the-year, to 1,303.
Coastal Georgia
- The unemployment rate was down seven-tenths to 3.0% over-the-month. The rate was 2.9% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 487 over-the-month and up 2,473 over-the-year, to 356,996.
- The number of employed was up 2,950 over-the-month and up 2,198 over-the-year, to 346,381.
- Initial claims were up 345 over-the-month and up 73 over-the-year, to 1,175.
Georgia Mountains
- The unemployment rate was down seven-tenths to 2.8% over-the-month. The rate was 2.8% one year ago.
- The labor force was down 691 over-the-month and up 4,225 over-the-year, to 245,133.
- The number of employed was up 1,053 over-the-month and up 4,145 over-the-year, to 238,300.
- Initial claims were up 515 over-the-month, and up 126 over-the-year, to 968.
Heart of Georgia
- The unemployment rate was down six-tenths to 3.6% over-the-month. The rate was 3.7% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 221 over-the-month and up 3,149 over-the-year, to 122,152.
- The number of employed was up 978 over-the-month and up 3,123 over-the-year, to 117,770.
- Initial claims were up 1,356 over-the-month, and up 792 over-the-year, to 1,802.
Middle Georgia
- The unemployment rate was down seven-tenths to 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.5% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 438 over-the-month and up 1,296 over-the-year, to 223,754.
- The number of employed was up 2,063 over-the-month and up 1,287 over-the-year, to 216,032.
- Initial claims were up 333 over-the-month and up 66 over-the-year, to 923.
Northeast Georgia
- The unemployment rate was down seven-tenths to 3.1% over-the-month. The rate was 3.1% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 382 over-the-month and up 3,538 over-the-year, to 352,618, an all-time high.
- The number of employed was up 2,605 over-the-month and up 3,185 over-the-year, to 341,544.
- Initial claims were up 289 over-the-month and down 629 over-the-year, to 993.
Northwest Georgia
- The unemployment rate was down eight-tenths to 3.1% over-the-month. The rate was 3.6% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 885 over-the-month and up 3,180 over-the-year, to 459,957, an all-time high.
- The number of employed was up 4,207 over-the-month and up 5,363 over-the-year, to 445,548, an all-time high.
- Initial claims were up 5,227 over-the-month and up 568 over-the-year, to 7,613.
River Valley
- The unemployment rate was down eight-tenths to 3.9% over-the-month. The rate was 4.0% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 98 over-the-month and up 2,297 over-the-year, to 146,947.
- The number of employed was up 1,196 over-the-month and up 2,282 over-the-year, to 141,189.
- Initial claims were up 264 over-the-month and down 120 over-the-year, to 704.
Southern Georgia
- The unemployment rate was down eight-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.9% one year ago.
- The labor force was down 45 over-the-month and up 849 over-the-year, to 177,673.
- The number of employed was up 1,403 over-the-month and up 1,794 over-the-year, to 171,649.
- Initial claims were up 569 over-the-month and down 711 over-the-year, to 1,155.
Southwest Georgia
- The unemployment rate was down seven-tenths to 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.5% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 69 over-the-month and up 2,254 over-the-year, to 151,632.
- The number of employed was up 1,149 over-the-month and up 2,167 over-the-year, to 146,330.
- Initial claims were up 182 over-the-month and down 215 over-the-year, to 568.
Three Rivers
- The unemployment rate was down six-tenths to 3.2% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
- The labor force was up 1,223 over-the-month and up 1,913 over-the-year, to 271,290, an all-time high.
- The number of employed was up 2,996 over-the-month and up 2,288 over-the-year, to 262,732, an all-time high.
- Initial claims were up 556 over-the-month and down 205 over-the-year, to 1,543.