Politics & Government

Athens Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.1 Percent

The 5.1 percent is the lowest rate since June 2008.


The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that metro Athens’ unemployment rate decreased to 5.1 percent in November, down seven-tenths of a percentage point from 5.8 percent in October. This is the lowest the rate has been since it was also 5.1 percent in June 2008. The rate was 6.1 percent in November a year ago.

The rate declined in November primarily because the number of jobs increased and the number of unemployment insurance claims were down.

Metro Athens employers added 600 jobs in November, increasing the number of jobs to 91,200,  up by 0.7 percent, from 90,600 in October. Most of the new jobs were added in trade, transportation and warehousing.

Over the year, jobs were up by 1,200, or 1.3 percent, from 90,000 in November 2012. The big job gainers were also in trade, transportation and warehousing, along with state government.

The number of new layoffs, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, decreased to 410, down by 135, or 24.8 percent, from 545 in October. Claims declined in several sectors, including professional and technical services, trade, transportation and warehousing, along with construction. There were 771 claims in November 2012.

The number of unemployed people in Athens decreased to 5,700, down by 801 from 6,501 in October. There were 7,078 unemployed in November 2012.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.1 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 10 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November was 7.7 percent, down from 8.1 percent in October. The rate was 8.7 percent in November a year ago.


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