Northeast Georgia Unemployment Drops, Athens with Lowest Rate

Prospects may be looking up for the unemployed in Northeast Georgia — and especially for Athens residents

The region's unemployment rate to declined to 7.5 percent in November, down a full percentage point from the previous year, according to a press release from the Georgia Department of Labor. The rate dropped from the reported 7.6 in October.

The department reported in its press release that unemployment is lower due to 291 fewer layoffs in industries such as construction, information services and administration. 

Metro Athens has the lowest area jobless rate at 6.2 percent, well below the national average of 7.9 percent. 

The year has been an overall success for Georgia. Almost 70,000 jobs were gained statewide, an almost 2 percent jump from the previous year's number of jobs.

The local area unemployment data is not seasonally adjusted, according to the press release.